Preview: Hull City vs. Newcastle United

Hull City will be in search of a third win in a week on Saturday when they host Newcastle United.

The Tigers secured qualification to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 2-1 fifth-round replay victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, just two days after they put in a flawless away display to thrash Cardiff City 4-0.

Things are also looking up for Newcastle, though, who ended a run of five winless Premier League games when Loic Remy scored in stoppage time to see them beat Aston Villa 1-0 at St James' Park.

With Hatem Ben Arfa and Davide Santon still sidelined, Alan Pardew could name the same starting XI as he did last Sunday, with Papiss Cisse operating alongside Remy in a two-man attack.

In Santon's absence Paul Dummett was given the nod ahead of Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa at full-back and the Tyneside-born defender should play behind Yoan Gouffran again on the left flank.

While Newcastle sold their star asset in the January transfer window, Hull's focus was very much on strengthening, and their £14m worth of striking reinforcements are quickly firing them up the table.

Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic have struck up an immediate partnership, scoring five goals including Jelavic's brace against Cardiff, between them in the five games that they have started together.

Their form is keeping fit-again Sone Aluko, who netted a superb volley to win Hull the reverse fixture, out of a fairly settled side. Alex Bruce is expected to be preferred to James Chester in defence.

Hull could join eighth-place Newcastle in the top half of the table with victory at the KC Stadium.

Recent form

Hull: WWDLWD

Newcastle: WLLLDW

Possible starting lineups

Hull: McGregor; Elmohamady, Bruce, Davies, Figueroa, Rosenior; Meyler, Livermore, Huddlestone; Long, Jelavic

Newcastle: Krul; Debuchy, Coloccini, Williamson, Dummett; Sissoko, Tiote, Anita, Gouffran; Cisse, Remy

Sports Mole says: 1-0