Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's Championship clash between Newcastle United and Preston North End at St James' Park! This match promises to mark a major moment in the season one way or another, with Newcastle one win away from sealing promotion and Brighton & Hove Albion watching on with great interest knowing that they could win the title this evening. Preston are bidding to spoil the Magpies' party, though, as they aim to boost their own hopes of finishing in the top half. First, though, let's have a look at the team news...

NEWCASTLE STARTING XI: Elliot; Anita, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett; Ritchie, Shelvey, Hayden, Atsu; Perez; Mitrovic

NEWCASTLE SUBS: Darlow, Yedlin, Mbemba, Colback, Gouffran, Diame, Murphy

PRESTON STARTING XI: Maxwell; Browning, Huntington, Boyle, Spurr; Gallagher, Browne, Johnson, McGeady, Barkhuizen; Hugill

PRESTON SUBS: Lindegaard, Vermijl Horgan, Pringle, Beckford, May, Robinson

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well the big news as far as Newcastle are concerned is that Ciaran Clark is back after injury, overcoming a knee problem to start for the first time since March at the heart of the defence. He will play alongside Lascelles, who scored a late own goal in the reverse fixture between these two sides, as Hanley drops out of the squad entirely for the hosts.

That is one of five changes made by Rafael Benitez to the team that was beaten by Ipswich Town last time out, and that includes one in goal as Rob Elliot replaces Darlow between the sticks. Vurnon Anita also comes in at right-back, with Yedlin dropping to the bench having only returned from a long absence during the match against the Tractor Boys. Yedlin came through that one unscathed, but is only among the subs tonight.

The midfield is the only unchanged part of the Newcastle team, with Matt Ritchie and Atsu on either flank sure to give the Magpies so good pace and width. Shelvey and Hayden also continue at the heart of the midfield and, with Newcastle expected to see the lion's share of possession this evening, those two could have a pivotal role to play if the hosts are to clinch their return to the top flight.

With top-scorer Dwight Gayle still sidelined by a troublesome hamstring injury, Benitez has recalled Mitrovic to lead the line this evening. The striker has already scored four times past Preston this season, notching a brace in the League Cup meeting in October and then doing the same when they faced off in the league four days later. Ayoze Perez was also on the scoresheet in that League Cup clash, and he also starts tonight as Diame and Murphy drop to the bench.

As for Preston, they will be looking to Jordan Hugill as their main goal threat tonight. The striker is the club's top-scorer in the Championship this season, netting 11 times, and will have to shoulder an even bigger share of the goalscoring mantle considering that Robinson, who has 10 league goals for the season, has only made the bench.

Winger Aiden McGeady has done a good job of helping on the goalscoring front from midfield, though, and Newcastle will need to be wary of him tonight as he looks to add to his tally of eight goals for the season. It could be down to the home midfielders as much as the defence to stop him too as McGeady has scored five goals from outside the area this season - more than any other player in the Championship.

In all, Simon Grayson has made three changes to the side that was beaten by Norwich City last time out, including a return for Tyias Browning. The defender has been sidelined for two months with a knee injury, but he is thrown straight back into the starting XI having return to training recently. Spurr and Johnson also come into the team, with Vermijl, Cunningham and Robinson the men to make way.

Baptiste and Pearson remain suspended for the visitors tonight, while Grayson was faced with depleted options in defence due to season-ending injuries for Clarke and Cunningham. Huntington and Boyle are fit to partner each other in central defence, tough, while Gallagher, Browne and Barkhuizen all keep their places in midfield too.

That is the team that all Brighton fans will be cheering on tonight, then, but it is Newcastle who go into this match as heavy favourites to come away with a victory. It is easy to see why too, despite them slipping up during the run-in. The incentive could not be much bigger - victory clinches promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, whereas anything else would effectively hand the Championship title to Brighton.

Rafael Benitez has insisted that it doesn't matter to him whether Newcastle go up as champions or runners-up, as long as they seal automatic promotion, but if the Magpies are to stand any chance of catching Brighton at the top of the table then victory here is essential. A draw would leave them six points behind with two games remaining, while a defeat leaves them with an unassailable lead. Victory, though, will cut that gap down to four points.

It has so far been a good weekend of results for Newcastle, with Norwich beating Brighton on Friday to prevent the Seagulls from wrapping up the title and both Reading and Huddersfield losing on Saturday to give the Magpies the chance to clinch promotion tonight. Newcastle must still hold up their end of the bargain, though, and despite holding a six-point advantage over Reading as things stand, only a win will do tonight due to Huddersfield's game in hand.

Even if they are made to wait for promotion tonight, though, it is surely only a matter of time before Newcastle complete the job. They have faltered down the home straight, winning just two of their last eight outings to almost let Brighton slip out of their reach, but they look to have done enough throughout the rest of the campaign to get them over the line. Indeed, prior to their recent slump in form Newcastle had gone on an 11-match unbeaten streak.

The Magpies are winless in their last three outings, and they have not gone four in a row without a victory all season. Indeed, the last time that happened to them was more than a year ago, incidentally in Rafael Benitez's first four games in charge. Their final three matches all come against teams hovering around mid-table with not much left to fight for this season, which could play into Newcastle's hands quite nicely.

Including tonight's match, two of Newcastle's last three games come at home, with Barnsley also due to visit St James' on the final day of the season. The Magpies have only lost one of their last 11 home outings stretching back to Boxing Day - a 3-1 reverse to Fulham in March - but they have actually amassed more points away from home than they have in front of their own fans this term. Newcastle only have one away game of the season remaining, with that coming against Cardiff.

Newcastle's away record is the best in the league, with 43 points, whereas their 42-point haul here at St James' is only the eighth-best home record in the Championship this term. Should Newcastle draw this match tonight then they would have an identical record at home and away this season, so the fact that they are at home may not be much of an advantage for them in their bid to seal promotion.

Of course, a home record like that can be made to look stronger when placed up against a poor away record, and that is exactly what Preston bring to the table this evening. In fairness to the Lilywhites, they would only be one place worse off than their current position if only away form counted in the Championship, but they have still won just five of their 21 league outings on the road this season and have picked up 38 of their points at home.

Preston's last away league win came all the way back on January 2, with Grayson's side drawing five and losing four of their nine trips since then. They are by no means the easiest team to beat on the road this season, drawing as many away games as they have lost, but victories have been particularly elusive on their travels and they need to start turning those draws into wins if they are to push for the playoffs next season.

All in all, though, this will go down as a good season for Preston, who only came up from League One a couple of years ago. They are aiming for a top-half finish in the Championship and currently sit 11th in the table, two points clear of 13th-placed Cardiff City. They are more or less equidistant between the playoffs and the relegation zone too so, for a team that began the season with the main priority of avoiding relegation, they have done well.

Simon Grayson is in danger of seeing their hard work undone unless his side can turn their recent form around in the final three games of the season. Preston have lost their last three outings and have only won one of their last six, albeit a memorable 5-0 win over Bristol City. Defeat this evening would see them fall to a fourth consecutive defeat for the first time since January 2011 - the season in which they were relegated from the Championship.

Preston have lost as many games in their last three outings as they had in their previous 21 before that, and just as concerning for Grayson will be that they have been shipping goals at an alarming rate in that time too. They have let in exactly three goals in each of the defeats having conceded exactly three goals in only three of their previous 58 outings before that. Only three teams have conceded more goals in the top half of the table, but Preston are not used to shipping nine in a three-game spell this season.

Preston's most recent defeat came at the hands of Norwich last Monday - a game which saw Spurr come off the bench to score pull a goal back for the hosts. That made it 2-1 after earlier goals from Dorrans and Murphy had put the Canaries in command, but any hopes of a comeback were extinguished when Maddison capped off the scoring for Norwich.

This is Preston's last game against a side currently above them in the table this season, and things should be a lot more straightforward for them in the next game. Having faced Newcastle away - one of the toughest fixtures in the calendar - today, Preston then go to the other end of a spectrum when facing relegated Rotherham at home next time out. Then a trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers will cap their season off.

PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes from kickoff at St James' Park, which means that it is time for a prediction! Neither of these sides come into this match in particularly good form, but Newcastle are favourites, and for good reason too. This match will mean more to the hosts than it will to the visitors and, even though they have unexpectedly slipped up a few times recently, I am backing the Magpies to get the job done tonight. 2-0 to the home side!

These two sides have already played each other twice this season, and Newcastle have won both times. The most recent of those saw the Magpies run out 2-1 winners at Deepdale in October courtesy of a Mitrovic brace, while just four days before that Newcastle thrashed Preston 6-0 in the League Cup. That was the Lilywhites' last visit to St James' Park, so they may be looking for a slice of revenge tonight.

Preston's last league visit to this ground also ended in defeat, with Newcastle running out 3-0 winners in February 2010 on their previous stint in the Championship. In all, Newcastle have won each of their last five league games against Preston - their best ever run against the Lilywhites - while in all competitions the Magpies have won seven on the bounce against Preston stretching back to 1979.

You have to go even further back for Preston's last win at St James' Park, which came in September 1963 courtesy of a 4-2 victory. They have lost each of their last four visits and are winless in five in the league, while in all competitions that run stretches to eight games and includes seven defeats.

Right, the players are on their way out and we're just about ready to go here. Will Newcastle seal a return to the Premier League tonight or can Preston spoil the promotion party?

KICKOFF: Here we go, then! Preston get us underway at St James' Park!

Newcastle are immediately on the front foot as Ritchie collects a long diagonal ball on the right flank before standing a cross into the middle. Preston deal with the danger, but it is a positive start from the hosts.

CHANCE! Early chance for the hosts as Maxwell completely misjudges a lofted ball into the box. It bounces over his head and Mitrovic reads it to get on the end of it on the other side, but the angle is against him and he can't nod it into the empty net.

CLOSE! Mitrovic looks up for this one tonight! He chests a pass from Anita down before cutting onto his right foot and curling one just past the post.

It is a dream start for Newcastle, and even at this early stage it has been coming! Ayoze Perez gives the hosts the lead as a corner is flicked on to him at the back post. Clark gets a touch to it as well, but the final touch comes off Perez and goes in from close range.

Newcastle have scored the first goal in matches more often than any other team this season, and that one could prove to be the most important of the lot. As things stand, they are back in the Premier League.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Preston to level things up here! It is lovely football from the visitors as they cut right through Newcastle to send Johnson clean through on goal. He has time to steady himself, but he never really looks comfortable and ends up firing his effort straight at Elliot.

CHANCE! The resulting corner is initially cleared, but Huntington rises highest to meet the ball when it comes back into the area only to plant his header well over when he should have done better.

What a response this has been from Preston, and just seven minutes after falling behind they are now level! It is a blistering counter-attack from the visitors moments after Mitrovic sees a penalty shout turned down, with Barkhuizen swinging a cross into the middle. Hugill darts in front of Clark and his finish is a beauty, flicking it past Elliot with an improvised volley. Game on here!

This has been a brilliant opening 15 minutes or so. Newcastle began quickly, but after falling behind Preston have hit right back and fully deserve their equaliser.

Maxwell hasn't looked entirely certain on a couple of occasions already tonight, and again he is a little fortunate to get away with one here. The keeper spills the ball into the box under a little bit of pressure from Mitrovic, but then collects it at the second attempt.

Maxwell is again called into action, and again he is unconvincing. This time it is Ritchie who swings a cross into the middle which the keeper comes for and just gets a fingertip to.

Newcastle have had 67% of the possession in this match so far, but Preston thrive on the counter-attack and that is where their goal came from. The game is certainly more even than those stats suggest.

Preston have done a really good job of stopping Newcastle in their tracks after that early goal from the hosts. It looked like it could be party time for the Magpies when Perez bundled home, but Preston have so far put a stop to that.

Another lightning break from the visitors as Maxwell this time collects a cross into the box well and immediately looks to release Barkhuizen. One long ball forward does that, but the Huddersfield man is unable to test Elliot with his subsequent effort.

YELLOW CARD! Browning is the first name in the book tonight, and he can have no complaints following a heavy and mistimed challenge on Atsu. Newcastle have a free kick right on the edge of the box...

Ritchie plays it low into the area for Clark, who has peeled away from his man well, but he efforts is very well blocked before it can test the keeper.

Hayden breaks down the right flank and plays a peach of a ball right across the face of goal, but there are no Newcastle teammates there to turn it home! That was begging for a touch!

Maxwell has looked a lot more assured under the high ball with the past few he has had to face. It was a shaky start from the Preston keeper, but he has claimed a few in a row really well now.

There is a growing sense of frustration, and perhaps nervousness, around St James' Park at the moment. Preston are enjoying a good spell of possession right now.

Not much to report in terms of chances in the last 20 minutes or so - since that Preston goal, really. The opening 15 minutes were full of action, but since then the game has suffered a bit of a lull.

Silly foul from Mitrovic as he just nudges into a defender when Preston were trying to clear their lines, taking the pressure off the shoulders of the visitors. It is all very quiet inside St James' Park at the moment.

A reminder that, should the score stay the same, Brighton will be crowned champions tonight but Newcastle would be forced to wait for promotion. As I mentioned earlier, it should be only a matter of time before they seal their return to the top flight, but they're making pretty hard work of it are the Magpies.

Another good claim from Maxwell as he collects a cross just behind Mitrovic. The Newcastle striker looked to steal in front of the keeper, but just couldn't reach the cross.

For a match that could see Newcastle win promotion, the atmosphere is very flat inside St James' Park tonight. Preston have certainly played a big part in that, but the Newcastle players haven't done enough to get the fans going either since that quick start.

That has changed the mood a bit! Newcastle regain their lead just before half time as a mix-up between Johnson and McGeady in midfield allows Hayden to launch a counter-attack. He drives forward before playing the ball to Mitrovic, who in turn lays it into the path of an unmarked Atsu. The winger keeps his composure, taking a touch before stroking his finish past Maxwell and into the corner.

The referee brings an end to the first half at St James' Park, then, and it is Newcastle who have the lead at the halfway stage. It has been a strange half in many ways, with a quick start from both sides being followed by a lull until the Magpies scored again just before the interval to put themselves just 45 minutes away from returning to the Premier League.

The opening goal arrived after just seven minutes when a flick-on from a corner found Clark and Perez at the back post, with both lining up to apply the finishing touch. Clark got the first contact, but the final touch came off the Spaniard.

That lead lasted just seven minutes, though, as Preston responded brilliantly and, after a few good chances of their own, they came up with a deserved equaliser through Hugill. It came at the end of a lightning counter-attack, with Hugill giving the ball to Barkhuizen before continuing his run into the area. He then darted in front of his marker before flicking his finish past Elliot with his shin - an unorthodox but effective finish.

Newcastle restored their lead just before half time, though, hitting Preston with a quick break of their own after Hayden had won possession in midfield. He drove forward before playing in Mitrovic, who in turn gave the ball across for an unmarked Atsu to take a touch and sweep the ball home.

KICKOFF: Newcastle get us back underway for the second half. Just 45 minutes are separating them from the Premier League!

CHANCE! Huge chance for Newcastle to make a dream start to the second half too! They may well need a two-goal cushion today, but Maxwell denies them that here with a big, big save. It is suicidal from Preston as a couple of terrible passes invite pressure, with the second playing Perez in inside the box. Maxwell is alert to come out and make the stop, though.

Newcastle have made a good start to this second half, just as they did to the first. That Atsu goal just before the break has eased a lot of the tension around the ground.

Mitrovic breaks in behind the defence down the left channel and looks to pick out Perez in the middle, but his low pass is knocked behind for a corner.

CLOSE! The resulting corner is just too high for Lascelles, but it lands at the feet of Mitrovic behind him and a combination of the Newcastle striker and a Preston defender sends the ball dribbling narrowly wide of the post.

Newcastle look in control of this one right now, more so than at any point in the first half. They are knocking the ball amongst themselves and Preston have been unable to get going since the restart.

Better from Preston, and once again it comes on the counter. Gallagher turns defence into attack with one long pass over for Barkhuizen, who makes it to the byline down the left channel. Hugill is in the middle, but Barkhuizen puts just too much on his cross and the chance goes begging.

YELLOW CARD! Shelvey is the first Newcastle player in the book tonight for a late challenge on Barkhuizen.

There have been enough warning shots in this match of how quickly Preston can break for Newcastle to know that they probably need a third goal tonight. The fans will certainly be wary of starting any promotion parties while they are still only one in front.

Preston have the chance to get the ball into the box from a free kick on the left flank, but Gallagher's curling delivery is too close to the keeper, who comes out and collects it.

CHANCE! Really good footwork from Hayden as he collects a low Shelvey corner inside the area and manages to engineer space to shoot despite being surrounded by defenders. Maxwell is quick off his line to make the save, though.

CHANCE! Shelvey plays the resulting corner short before whipping a vicious delivery into the area that Maxwell can only punch as far as Ritchie. He opts against shooting first time, though, instead trying to get the ball back onto his left foot and seeing his effort blocked.

That is surely that for Newcastle's promotion bid! Matt Ritchie gives them the two-goal cushion they were after from the penalty spot, calmly tucking an effort into the bottom corner from 12 yards. The decision itself was the clearest you will see as Paul Gallagher pushed the ball away with his hand to prevent a certain goal after a brief goalmouth scramble. Gallagher can have no complaints at seeing red too, and Ritchie then makes no mistake.

If promotion wasn't wrapped up before, it surely is now! Perez gets his second of the night, and it is another very fortunate one - not that he will care! Shelvey's whipped corner takes a touch from a Preston defender on its way through before hitting the post and bouncing back against Perez and over the line! You won't see a scrappier goal, but Newcastle will take them any way they come tonight!

Now the party has started in the stands! St James' Park has been quiet for the majority of the night, but the home fans are in full voice now and Newcastle are beginning to enjoy themselves.

CHANCE! Chance for Newcastle to add a fifth as Mitrovic picks up the ball inside the area and tries to curl one into the top corner, but he puts it well over.

PRESTON SUB: Change for the visitors as Daryl Horgan replaces McGeady. Newcastle also made a change in the wake of that fourth goal, with Yoan Gouffran coming on in place of Atsu.

This is damage limitation for Preston now. They have 15 minutes remaining to hold out, but Newcastle will fancy their chances to add to their tally against 10 men in that time.

NEWCASTLE SUB: Another change from the home side as Shelvey departs to a standing ovation, being replaced by Jack Colback.

It does look like there are more goals in this one for Newcastle if they are ruthless enough to chase them. Their main job for the season will be completed today, and it is up to them now how stylishly they want to do it.

Chance for Newcastle to test the keeper again here as they win a free kick in a very promising position.

YELLOW CARD! Ritchie takes the free kick early and strokes it into the back of the net, but the referee is having none of that and even shows the Newcastle man a yellow card for his cheekiness.

After a big build-up it is Mitrovic who eventually takes the free kick, but he floats his effort harmlessly over the crossbar.

NEWCASTLE SUB: A third and final change for the hosts, and there will be no hat-trick for Perez as he departs to be replaced by Daryl Murphy.

Just four minutes until Newcastle can really start the promotion party, and there isn't a great deal of urgency from the hosts to add to their tally here. They have done their job already, and they seem quite content with that.

There will be two minutes of added time at the end of this match.

CHANCE! Newcastle almost cap off the occasion in style with a fifth goal as Murphy holds the ball up before laying it off to Gouffran, but his effort is brilliantly saved by the keeper.

Wild scenes of celebration greet the final whistle as Newcastle return to the Premier League at the first time of asking. It is what the majority of people expected at the start of the season, but that will not make the delight any less sweet. They didn't make things easy for themselves on the night, with Preston more than holding their own in the first half until Christian Atsu sent the hosts into the break ahead after Hugill had cancelled out an early opener from Perez. It was a penalty and a red card for Gallagher that really changed things, though, with Ritchie dispatching the subsequent penalty before Perez added his second of the night to really get the party started.

Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's match as Newcastle United clinch their place back in the Premier League at the first time of asking courtesy of a 4-1 victory over Preston. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction too. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!