Premier League: Newcastle v Liverpool match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at St James' Park

Brendan Rodgers compared Suarez’s ban for biting with others in the game (Getty Images)

This fixture has produced some classics over the years but for Liverpool it will just be a relief to be playing football again after another week dominated by negative Luis Suarez headlines. The Uruguayan striker starts his 10-match suspension for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic last Sunday and the absence of the PFA Player of the Year nominee will please Newcastle, who are still in need of points to ensure safety.

A win would put the Magpies on 40 points and above rivals Sunderland, who play Aston Villa on Monday. Liverpool are still chasing sixth place, currently occupied by Everton and three points are a must if the Reds are to close the five point gap on their Merseyside rivals. It is 50 years since Liverpool finished below their Merseyside rivals in successive seasons so they still have plenty to play for in their remaining four games of the season.

Newcastle fans will be hoping for a repeat of last season’s clash when they watched former favourite Andy Carroll leave the pitch close to tears and another former player, Jose Enrique, was forced to play in goal after Pepe Reina was sent off. The home side won that game 2-0 and a similar result this weekend would end fears of relegation on Tyneside. 

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 5.30pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS...

Liverpool 1 (Suarez) Newcastle 1 (Cabaye), Premier League, November 2012

Newcastle 2 (Cisse 2) Liverpool 0, Premier League, April 2012

Liverpool 3 (Bellamy, Gerrard, Agger) Newcastle 1 (Agger og), Premier League, December 2011

STATS...

The winning team has scored a minimum of two goals in the last 12 league meetings.

Liverpool have only kept two clean sheets in 18 Premier League trips to Tyneside.

Newcastle United have used 32 different players this season – more than any other Premier League team.

The last four meetings between these two teams have produced 15 goals.

Newcastle have conceded 60 goals this season - only Reading and Aston Villa have conceded more.

ODDS…

Newcastle to win: 3.05

Liverpool to win: 2.54

Draw: 3.55

TV: Live on ESPN at 5.30pm, highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm