Stoke City: Vital statistics

All the facts and figures ahead of Stoke City's Premier League match against Newcastle United at St James' Park

PREVIOUS MEETING

January 16, 2008

Newcastle United 4  (Owen 8, Cacapa 31, Milner 68, Duff 76)

Stoke City 1  (Lawrence, 89)

STOKE were outclassed on a night hijacked by news of Kevin Keegan's third coming at United. By the time he had emerged in the directors' box, Michael Owen had already eased Newcastle towards their FA Cup replay win. Not even the dismissal of Emre could even it up, so Liam Lawrence's screamer was nothing but consolation.

Newcastle: Given, Carr, Enrique, Taylor, Cacapa, Duff, Emre, N'Zogbia (LuaLua, 79), Milner, Owen, Viduka (Carroll, 73).

Stoke: Simonsen, Zakuani, Pugh, Cort, Shawcross, Lawrence, Eustace (Pulis, 78), Delap (Dickinson, 78), Cresswell, Parkin (Diao, 62), Fuller.

Attendance: 35,108.

FORM GUIDE

Newcastle: WLDDD

Stoke: WLWDL

WHO WE'D LIKE TO SIGN

Michael Owen: He is reportedly going cheaply with only six months left on his contract, though his wages might be another matter.

WHO TO BOO

Shola Ameobi: He was attributed with some rather ungracious comments about Stoke after an unsuccessful loan spell at the Brit last May.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

Mike Dean (Wirral): Has Phil Scolari's rant still ringing in his ears after Arsenal's 'offside' goal at Chelsea. Last refereed Stoke in August's 2-1 loss at Middlesbrough.

PROBABLE TEAMS

Newcastle: Given, Beye, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Butt, N'Zogbia, Martins, Owen.

Stoke: Sorensen, Griffin, Higginbotham, Cort, Ab Faye, Tonge, Diao, Am Faye, Delap, Sidibe, Fuller.

PREDICTION

AN uncharacteristic error by Shay Given hands substitute Tom Soares a simple tap-in to grab a fortunate 1-1 draw after Michael Owen's 60th-minute header puts Newcastle ahead.