Preview: Newcastle United vs. Stoke City

Newcastle United will look to continue their challenge for European football when they host Stoke City at St James' Park on Boxing Day.

The Magpies have won six of their last eight matches in the league, including victories over the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

That good run of form has seen them rise up to sixth in the Premier League table, where they now sit just four points off the top four and six off league leaders Liverpool.

Alan Pardew's side have only lost once in the league at St James' Park this season and are currently on a five-match unbeaten streak in front of their own fans. Another win on Thursday would be their 200th victory at home in the Premier League.

Newcastle will be without Cheick Tiote after the midfielder picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Crystal Palace, while Jonas Gutierrez is the only new injury concern for Pardew as he is a doubt with a calf problem.

Stoke, meanwhile, currently sit in the top half of the table thanks to a four-match unbeaten streak in the league that included a dramatic late win over Chelsea earlier this month.

Mark Hughes's side have only lost once in their last eight Premier League games, but their away form is a lot less impressive with no wins in their last six and just one all season.

Robert Huth will definitely miss the game after undergoing surgery on his knee, but Charlie Adam and Stephen Ireland could return to the starting lineup for the visitors.

Recent form

Newcastle: WWLWDW

Stoke: LDWDLW

Possible starting lineups

Newcastle: Krul; Debuchy, Coloccini, Williamson, Santon; Gouffran, Cabaye, Anita, Sissoko; Sh Ameobi, Remy

Stoke: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters; Walters, N'Zonzi, Arnautovic, Whelan, Ireland; Crouch

Sports Mole says: 2-1