Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Stoke City and Newcastle United.

When Stoke suffered three consecutive defeats in the Premier League - all by a 3-0 scoreline - it seemed unlikely that they would be able to move themselves back into contention for a European place, but that's exactly what they have done. That's partly down to the inconsistency of other sides, but two victories in a row has seen Stoke move within a victory of seventh place. They will expect to beat Newcastle United this evening, but with that opportunity hanging over them, it might be a lot easier said than done.

The Magpies are making the trip to the Potteries to play their first game since the 5-1 mauling by Chelsea two weeks ago. It was a performance that left Magpies supporters full of criticism for their side as they became further locked in a relegation battle, but with both Sunderland and Norwich City failing to win last night, they have been given somewhat of a reprieve. Steve McClaren will know that they must take advantage, as it could also mean bringing other clubs into the mix.

The team news has started to come in from the Britannia Stadium. Let's take a look at who has been selected and who has dropped out.

STOKE CITY XI: Butland; Bardsley, Cameron, Wollscheid, Pieters; Whelan, Imbula, Shaqiri, Afellay, Arnautovic; Walters

STOKE CITY SUBSTITUTES: Haugaard, Muniesa, Ireland, Joselu, Diouf, Crouch, Bojan

NEWCASTLE UNITED XI: Elliot; Janmaat, Taylor, Lascelles, Dummett; Shelvey, Colback, Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Gouffran; Mitrovic

NEWCASTLE UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Darlow, Sterry, Saivet, Aarons, Perez, Riviere, Doumbia

It's fairly straightforward as far as Stoke are concerned. Mark Hughes has decided to keep the same starting lineup from the weekend, but he has been able to call upon Marc Muniesa who has stepped up to the bench. There is still no Ryan Shawcross for the Potters.

The big news coming out of the Newcastle dressing room is Jonjo Shelvey being handed the captaincy in place of the injured Fabricio Coloccini. McClaren has opted to make four alterations to the team that lost at Stamford Bridge, with Yoann Gouffran, Paul Dummett, Jamaal Lascelles and Jack Colback all being given a place in the team. As well as Coloccini, Rolando Aarons, Cheick Tiote and Andros Townsend all miss out.

The absence of Townsend is a major blow to Newcastle. His goal was the only highlight of the thrashing at Stamford Bridge and in the fixture before that - against West Bromwich Albion - he was man of the match. McClaren will be desperate to have the winger back for Saturday's home fixture against Bournemouth.

HEAD TO HEAD! Tonight's game represents the 91st time that the two teams have met in a competitive match. Newcastle hold 43 wins compared to 26 for Stoke, but the Staffordshire outfit are unbeaten in their last four fixtures. They have also emerged victorious in the last three games at the Britannia Stadium, with Newcastle last claiming an away win on October 31, 2011.

REVERSE FIXTURE! Well let's hope this match is an improvement on the match that took place at St James' Park in October. The contest ended goalless but I'm fairly sure that we will have goals this time around...I think.

Remember that this is not the only game to take place this evening. There are four more Premier League matches, as well as a La Liga clash involving Real Madrid. What more could you want?! You can take your pick by clicking here.

We mentioned earlier that Marc Muniesa was available for selection on the bench this evening, and while that may not seem like significant news to the neutral, it's huge for Stoke. They are struggling for numbers in defence, to such an extent that Bardsley and Wollscheid were told to sit out training sessions during their two-week break from action. It had been expected that Shawcross would be back in contention by now, so with the club captain still unavailable, having Muniesa back is a bonus for Hughes.

Newcastle supporters may have been expecting to see Seydou Doumbia from the start this evening, but he has had to make do with a place on the bench. He has spent just 20 minutes on the pitch since his loan switch in January, so it seems a weird decision to keep him in reserve when Newcastle were poor from one to 11 against Chelsea. Maybe McClaren's thinking resolves around Mitrovic being able to provide a greater physical presence, but leaving Doumbia on the bench seems like a good opportunity gone to waste.

It you head over to our Stat Centre (hint hint...), you can see that Stoke only possess the ninth best home record in the Premier League. You'd expect better than that considering they have beaten Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City, as well as earning a draw against Arsenal. That's an indication that they haven't necessarily had it their own way against the teams in the bottom half of the table, so this match should not be considered a foregone conclusion.

Newcastle have earned just three points less than Stoke at home, which means that it's their form on their travels that has left them in the relegation zone. Before Christmas, Newcastle won at Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur, but since that date - December 13 - they have not picked up a point away from home.

Before we make our prediction, a bit of encouragement for Newcastle supporters. Stoke struggled to carve out opportunities against Aston Villa on Saturday - the bottom-place side effectively gave the match to their hosts by conceding a penalty and being unable to defend a high ball. Stoke must improve from that display or else Newcastle should have enough quality to take advantage.

PREDICTION! Despite criticism over Stoke's performance at the weekend, we simply cannot back against them tonight. That's more to do with Newcastle's susceptibility to conceding silly goals and Stoke now have the talent in the final third to capitalise on any indecision. Stoke to win 2-1.

The two teams are beginning to congregate in the tunnel at the Britannia Stadium. We will be underway very shortly!

We are underway at the Britanna!

It has been a fast start from Stoke, you have attacked both flanks inside the opening few minutes. On the second occasion, Shaqiri should have made more with his delivery, but it was headed clear by a Magpies defender.

What a magnificent ball from Pieters! The left-back whipped the ball towards the back post but the resulting header was miscued and Newcastle cleared again.

SHOT! Stoke have created all of the pressure but it's Newcastle who get the first shot away through Shelvey, who fires straight at Butland from 20 yards out. It wasn't a bad effort on such a wet pitch.

Arnautovic proves too quick for Janmaat on the left flank to earn Stoke a free kick around 45 yards from goal. Shaqiri's cross reaches the back post but Newcastle clear at the second opportunity.

It's been a solid start from both teams. McClaren will be happy that his team have got through the early stages without conceding. That was the main issue at Chelsea. Stoke are starting to dominate possession, however.

SAVE! We have already spoken about the left foot of Pieters and on this occasions, it almost brings him a goal. It's supposed to be a cross but Elliot needs to be alert to tip the ball away. The ball was definitely creeping into the far corner.

SHOT! It looks as though Hughes has instructed Shaqiri to take the direct approach at every opportunity. The Swiss winger runs at Dummett before cutting back onto his left foot, but his shot is straight at Elliot.

We have not seen too much of Newcastle in an attacking sense. Shelvey just whipped in a threatening delivery but Stoke did well to get the ball away without any hesitation.

It doesn't take much for players to go down these days, does it? Gouffran gets a finger to the face and he goes down, before Shaqiri blatantly dives when faced with Dummett. Dear oh dear.

There's not much of an atmosphere at the Britannia Stadium. That's probably down to the lack of shots we are having. Someone needs to take the initiative here.

SUBSTITUTION! Bad news for Stoke. Bardsley has picked up an injury, and Muniesa is coming on in his place. Good job the Spaniard was able to return to the bench! Is he fit though...

Newcastle seem content to let Stoke have plenty of possession, which seems strange because surely they need to reclaim the ball to get the likes of Shelvey into the game. Stoke have earned a free kick in a threatening position. What can they make of it?

The answer is nothing. I don't think one set piece has found its intended target yet. Newcastle are doing well to hold firm against the physical threat of Stoke.

Walters and Arnautovic link up inside the penalty area but the Irishman can't complete the one-two with his teammate and Newcastle clear. Walters did nothing at the weekend, it was a bit surprising to see him remain in the side given Stoke's offensive options.

Stoke's continued probing almost pays off as Pieters is released down the left flank but while his first-time cross is superb, it's expertly flicked away by Lascelles. Newcastle could do with the break now. The pressure is starting to build.

Wijnaldum doesn't usually get any credit for his performances away from home but some fine defensive work and a subsequent foul allows Newcastle to get back into position. Four minutes to go until the break.

Wijnaldum appears at the other end of the pitch now, nutmegging Pieters before being dispossessed just as he was about to pull the ball back. McClaren will want to see more of this.

There will be one minute of added-on time.

The half-time whistle goes at the Britannia Stadium and we remain goalless. It comes as no surprise because there has barely been a shot, and that's what you need if goals are going to be scored. Hopefully there will be less sarcasm in the second half...

The two teams are back out for the second half. Surely we are going to get a more entertaining 45 minutes...

Newcastle get us back underway.

The Magpies have started this second half with a bit more ambition. A free kick is floated into the box and the ball eventually falls to Sissoko, but he spends too much time trying to create some space for himself and Stoke clear.

The plan seems to try to get Mitrovic more into the game, but the ball is ricocheting off the Serbian pretty much every time it is played into his feet. Surely the introduction of Doumbia cannot be far away.

The Stoke supporters are starting to get on their team's back. It's a bit early for that, but it's not at all surprising. They realise the chance they have tonight.

SHOT! Better from Stoke, and Walters inparticular. The Republic of Ireland international tees up Afellay, but despite the neat chest control, the midfielder volleyed a couple of yards wide of the target.

It has taken 56 minutes but we have finally had the first corner of the match. It's in Stoke's favour, but the referee blows up for a foul before the ball reached its intended target. That was a waste...

It has been all Newcastle during the last few minutes but they still can't get a shot away. Wijnaldum is looking to pull the strings but there isn't enough movement from his teammates.

Mitrovic is the latest player to go down too easily. There's a coming-together with Cameron but it wasn't worthy of two rolls on the floor. Embarrassingly, Lascelles has to lift him up and tell him him to get on with it.

It's tipping it down at the Britannia now. I'm not sure if that is hindering the performance of either team but it may explain why no-one can unlock the opposition defence.

I thought that we would have had an alteration by now. Crouch and Ireland are warming up for Stoke, but no sign of any substitution being imminent.

SUBSTITUTION! Maybe those changes were imminent! Crouch and Diouf have replaced Walters and Afellay. Bold move by Hughes.

The game is starting to become stretched. I'm not sure who that suits! Both teams possess plenty of attacking options in the final third. We are going to have a break in play with Gouffran and Whelan both receive treatment.

SUBSTITUTION! McClaren has decided to replace Gouffran with Riviere. Shouts of "you don't know what you're doing" from the Newcastle support.

Newcastle also have Doumbia, Saviet and Perez on the bench. I'm assuming the Magpies faithful wanted to see one of that trio.

Riviere's first contribution is to draw a foul out of Muniesa, earning Shelvey a chance to cross into the box. Guess what, though? It comes to nothing. It didn't even beat the first man.

Stoke City take the lead through Shaqiri but what was Elliott doing?! The Swiss winger let fly with a decent strike from distance but Elliott let the ball go past him, as if he didn't realise how far across his goal he was. It was a powerful shot, but questions are going to be asked about the goalkeeper.

SUBSTITUTION! Doumbia and Perez have been thrown on by McClaren. Newcastle supporters may argue that it is too little too late...

SHOT! Whelan tries an ambitious effort from 35 yards but it flies into the stand. At least it will waste some time.

There will be four minutes of added-on time.

SHOT! Riviere receives the ball in a shooting position, but his effort is desperate and it goes harmlessly off target.

CHANCE! Newcastle almost snatch a late equaliser through Doumbia, but Butland, who has been required to do nothing all game, pulls off the instinctive save. That could be that.

The final whistle goes at the Britannia Stadium and Stoke have held on to claim a 1-0 win over Newcastle, who remain in the relegation zone. Arnautovic struck the woodwork in the final minute but it didn't matter as the Potters claimed their third successive win.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match, but please stick around - there is plenty of reaction coming your way! Goodbye for now.