After last week's postponement of their fixture with Aston Villa due to a 'significant increase' in Covid-19 cases within the squad, Newcastle's Premier League match against West Brom on Saturday is set to go ahead at St James' Park.
With regular testing continuing at the clubs, the Magpies have had enough players test negative for the virus to ensure the game will take place as normal.
The #NUFC squad return to full group training this afternoon following last week's temporary closure due to a rise in Covid-19 cases. ⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/C4T3pC9Ss5
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) December 9, 2020
Having missed a week of action, Steve Bruce's side could move into the top half of the table with a win, while West Brom are looking for points that would take them out of the bottom three.
Where to Watch
When Is Kick Off? Saturday 12 December
What Time Is Kick Off? 15:00 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? St. James' Park
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports (UK)
Referee? Darren England
Team News
Given some of the Newcastle squad have not been able to isolate for the governmental requisite period of ten days after a positive test, some players will not be available to play.
With the identity of these players unknown, it remains a guessing game until Bruce sheds more light on the situation in his pre-match press conference.
In terms of injuries, Newcastle remain without Martin Dubravka in goal, with Paul Dummett still sidelined with a hamstring problem. Andy Carroll is a major doubt with a calf injury and Allan Saint-Maximin still seems to be struggling with a muscle issue that kept him out of the Crystal Palace game last time out.
The Baggies are without Matheus Pereira, who was sent off in the 5-1 defeat to Palace. Hal Robson-Kanu is still out with a wrist injury, with Conor Townsend keeping him company in the physio's room with a knee problem.
Predicted Lineups
Newcastle: Darlow; Manquillo, Fernandez, Lascelles, Lewis; Hendrick, S. Longstaff, Shelvey, Almiron; Wilson, Joelinton.
West Brom: Johnstone; Ajayi, Ivanovic, Bartley; Furlong, Gallagher, Sawyers, Phillips; Diangana, Grant, Robinson.
Recent Form
Newcastle's win at Selhurst Park last time out was arguably their most accomplished performance of the season, but a Palace team without Wilfried Zaha is a different proposition entirely.
West Brom have looked good for large periods of games but can rightfully feel hard done by with recent VAR decisions. Pereira's red card against Palace looked soft and against Manchester United they had a penalty taken away upon a VAR review, on top of Bruno Fernandes being given the chance to retake a spot kick after Johnstone had saved his initial effort, leading to a 1-0 loss.
A narrow 1-0 defeat to Tottenham and a 1-0 win against Sheffield United suggested Slaven Bilic's Baggies had sured up at the back after conceding 11 goals in the first their games of the season prior to their 5-1 dismantling at the hands of Palace.
Newcastle
Crystal Palace 0-2 Newcastle (27/11)
Newcastle 0-2 Chelsea (21/11)
Southampton 2-0 Newcastle (6/11)
Newcastle 2-1 Everton (1/11)
Wolves 1-1 Newcastle (25/10)
West Brom
West Brom 1-5 Crystal Palace (6/12)
West Brom 1-0 Sheffield United (28/11)
Manchester United 1-0 West Brom (21/11)
West Brom 0-1 Tottenham (8/11)
Fulham 2-0 West Brom (2/11)
Prediction
If Bilic's side are going to stay up, these are the games they must try and get something from. However, with star man Pereira suspended, their attack will lack the cutting edge he usually provides.
On the road for our next @premierleague clash ??#NEWWBA | #WBA pic.twitter.com/c0ALetlTQq
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) December 9, 2020
A lot depends on which Newcastle players are still having to isolate. A player like Callum Wilson is often the difference between two sides in a game like this, so if he is available the Magpies should prosper.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-0 West Brom
Source : 90min