Newcastle v Sheff Utd

Posted Monday, April 05, 2010 by BBC.com

Coca Cola Championship
Venue: St James' Park Date: Monday, 5 April 2010 Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio, Final Score & highlights on The Football League Show

TEAM NEWS

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton has hinted that he will make a number of changes to his team, who only need a draw to seal the Magpies' promotion.

Wayne Routledge, Peter Lovenkrands, Jonas Gutierrez and Danny Guthrie were all rested for Saturday's game at Peterborough and could now return.

Sheffield United will be without defender Paul Connolly.

The right-back is suspended after being sent off during Saturday's goalless draw at home to Barnsley.

MATCH PREVIEW

The scene is set for a promotion party at St James' Park, where a point for Newcastle will be enough to seal their return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Only a first home defeat of the season will stop Chris Hughton's men cracking open the champagne, and Sheffield United's away form suggests that is very unlikely to happen.

The Blades are not out of the race for promotion, but seven defeats and three draws from their last 10 away trips is partly why they are six points away from the play-off places.

A draw and a defeat in their most recent home matches have put further dents in the Yorkshire club's play-off bid, and they need to produce something special between now and the end of the season if they are going to squeeze into the top six.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Sheffield United are vying for the club's 50th victory in matches against Newcastle.

• The Magpies are hoping to clinch a third successive victory against Sheffield United and a first league double over them for 37 years.

Newcastle

• Newcastle have won their last three matches, are unbeaten in 11 (W8, D3), and have lost only once in 27 games.

• They have notched seven consecutive home wins. An eighth would be the club's best run at home since the Magpies won 11 in a row in the 2002/03 Premier League campaign.

• West Brom are the only Championship side to have scored more goals than Newcastle, who have netted 77 and are the only team in England who are unbeaten at home.

• Kevin Nolan could make his 400th career appearance, and Alan Smith his 250th league start.

Sheffield United

• Sheffield United are without a win in four matches and have failed to score in their last two.

• Only one of their 54 league goals has been scored in stoppage time.

• Scunthorpe are the only team to have completed a league double over the Blades this season.

MOST RECENT MEETING

Sheff Utd 0-1 Newcastle (2 November 2009)

Newcastle scorer: Morgan (og) 54.