Preview: Newcastle United vs. Club Brugge

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew is expected to name a strong starting lineup for Club Brugge's visit in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Tim Krul, Fabricio Coloccini, Cheick Tiote and Steven Taylor have all been tipped to feature from the beginning against the Belgians.

In contrast, Brugge are without a number of senior players for the trip to Tyneside.

Ryan Donk, Thomas Meunier, Jim Larsen, Niki Zimling and Fredrik Stenman will all be absent because of injuries.

It is worth noting that Newcastle have won all six of their matches against opposition from Belgium, scoring an average of three goals per game in the process.

England has not been the happiest of hunting grounds for Brugge. They have failed to win any of their 10 matches, losing eight.

Recent form

Newcastle: DLWDL

Brugge: LDWDW

Possible starting lineups:

Newcastle: Krul; Simpson, Taylor, Coloccini, Ferguson; Obertan, Tiote, Cabaye, Gutierrez; Cisse, Ameobi

Brugge: Jorgacevic; Hoefkens, Almeback, Figueras, Buysse; Odjidja, Blondel, Jorgensen; Refaelov, Bacca, Lestienne

Sports Mole says: 2-1