Probable Lineups

4-5-1
Newcastle United
4-4-2
Reading
© WhoScored.com

Probable Lineups Statistical Comparision

(43) 18 Goals 25 (41)
(24) 13 Assists 15 (28)
(6.6) 6.8 Average Ratings 6.6 (6.6)
26.8 Average Age 27.4
180.6 Average Height (cm) 180.8
(1.1) 0.9 Shots pg 0.8 (0.8)
(49%) 49% Aerial Duel Success 41% (42%)
(0.5) 0.8 Dribbles pg 0.3 (0.3)
(1.7) 1.3 Tackles pg 1.2 (1.3)
* Values in brackets (x) are overall player statistics in Premier League.

Missing Players

Player Reason Status Rating
Hatem Ben Arfa Out 7.01
Danny Simpson Out 6.53
Haris Vuckic Out N/A
Ryan Taylor Out 6.51
Dan Gosling Out 6.06
Steven Taylor Doubtful 6.65
Cheik Tioté Out 6.8
Player Reason Status Rating
Jason Roberts Out 6.4
Alex McCarthy Out 7.16
Mikele Leigertwood Doubtful 6.8
Hal Robson-Kanu Doubtful 6.5

Team News

Newcastle United
  • Newcastle's injury woes are slowly fading, with Yohan Cabaye back fit and Steven Taylor back in contention.
  • Cheik Tiote is, however, away with the Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations so he will be unavailable, so James Perch should keep his place in midfield.
  • Cabaye's recovery could force Marveaux back into a wider role on the right in front of new signing and compatriot Mathieu Debuchy, with Danny Simpson out injured.
Reading
  • Brian McDermott must decide whether to go with one or two up front after last weekend's incredible comeback against WBA was aided by goals from both Pavel Pogrebnyak and Adam Le Fondre.
  • Daniel Caricco had a tough debut last time out and could drop to the bench, while Garath McCleary will hope to feature after making an impact as his replacement.
  • Fellow newcomers Hope Akpan and Stephen Kelly will also hope to be in contention for a debut for the Royals.

Prediction

  • Although Alan Pardew will be pleased to have some key players back in contention he will be wary of the fact that his side are firmly in a relegation battle at the moment, without a win in 4 league games.
  • The Magpies will host a Reading side in buoyant mood after their remarkable victory last weekend and the win brought them within 5 points of Newcastle and 3 points of Wigan in 17th.
  • There is no doubt that Newcastle have more quality and anything short of a win will be seen as disastrous by the fans. Reading's dismal away record, having won just 2 points on the road, should ensure the home supporters leave with smiles on their faces.
Prediction:
Newcastle United
1
0
Reading
© WhoScored.com

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Head to Head Stats

R Team W D L Pts Form
16 N. United 11 8 19 41 ldldwl
19 Reading 6 10 22 28 dldwll

Top Players

Newcastle United
Reading
M. Williamson 7.3
Y. Cabaye 7.15
D. Ba 7.11
S. Morrison 6.97
A. Mariappa 6.94
N. Shorey 6.93
D. Ba 13
P. D. Cissé 8
Y. Cabaye 6
A. L. Fondre 12
H. Robson-Kanu 7
P. Pogrebnyak 5
S. Marveaux 4
H. B. Arfa 2
Y. Cabaye 2
J. McAnuff 7
N. Shorey 4
I. Harte 3

Match Forecast

Newcastle United will score as a result of a through ball  
* Match forecast is generated from clashes in team characters.
Data sources: Data Sources