Preview: Bordeaux vs. Newcastle United

Bordeaux welcome Newcastle United to France on Thursday in a match that will decide who tops Group D in the Europa League.

The Ligue 1 outfit currently sit atop the group with 10 points from their five matches thus far, while Newcastle sit one point and one place behind. Both sides have already qualified for the next stage of the competition, but a win for either would secure top spot in the group.

A single point would also be enough for Bordeaux to claim first, but Newcastle recorded a comprehensive 3-0 win the last time two sides met in early October. However, the Premier League outfit have a host of injury troubles ahead of the match.

The home side are hopeful that Henri Saivet will be fit to start, but Abdou Traore is still struggling with a muscular injury and therefore will not start. Newcastle still have eight first-team players on the sidelines, but Hatem Ben Arfa could reportedly make the bench.

Recent form:

Bordeaux: WWWLD Newcastle United: LDLLW

Possible lineups:

Bordeaux: Carrasso; Mariano, Planus, Sane, Tremoulinas; Maurice-Belay, Obraniak, N'Guemo, Saivet; Jussie, Gouffran

Newcastle United: Harper; Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Ferguson; Bigirimana, Anita, Tiote, Jonas; Sa Ameobi, Sh Ameobi

Sports Mole says: 1-0