Newcastle v Norwich (16:00 BST)

Did Steve McClaren know what he was walking into when he was appointed head coach at Newcastle in the summer? You would have to think yes.

The Magpies only secured their top-flight status on the final day after winning just three of 20 matches under John Carver - and things don't look to be getting any easier.

McClaren, sacked by Derby in May, had turned down the Magpies job twice.

He arrived stating the aim was to win trophies. Survival first Steve.

Newcastle fans can have no complaints about the funds spent on boosting their squad this summer.

According to managing director Lee Charnley, the cost of their five siignings was £52.6m.

The arrival of their five signings – Georginio Wijnaldum, Florian Thauvin, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Chancel Mbemba and Ivan Toney – brought a more positive vibe around St James', for a while at least.

That positivity appears to have disappeared.

The good news for Newcastle is that today's visitors, Norwich, aren't exactly flying in their first season back in the Premier League.

The Canaries have only one away win this season - although that victory did come in the north east at Sunderland.

They haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their eight Premier League matches either.

Victory for Norwich though and they move nine points clear of Newcastle.

Rob Elliot starts in goal for Newcastle after Tim Krul's season-ending knee injury while playing for the Netherlands. Cheick Tiote is given a start in the middle of the park alongside Jack Colback, while Vernon Anita and Yoan Gouffran miss out.

Norwich give a start to striker Dieumerci Mbokani after scoring off the bench against Leicester in their last game to replace Cameron Jerome.

Nathan Redmond also starts in place of Matt Jarvis in midfield.

"It will be a tough game, as they all are in the Premier League, but if we perform at our maximum and play like we have done for the majority of the games this season, then there is no reason why we can't go there and get the result."
Alex Neil - Norwich City manager

Newcastle United (4-4-2): Rob Elliot; Daryl Janmaat, Chancel Mbemba, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Paul Dummett; Moussa Sissoko, Cheick Tioté, Jack Colback, Georginio Wijnaldum; Ayoze Pérez, Aleksandar Mitrovic

Substitutes: Freddie Woodman, Massadio Haidara, Jamaal Lascelles, Vurnon Anita, Siem de Jong, Florian Thauvin, Papiss Cisse

Norwich City (4-4-1-1): John Ruddy; Steven Whittaker, Russell Martin (c), Sebastien Bassong, Martin Olsson; Natahn Redmond, Alexander Tettey, Graham Dorrans, Robbie Brady; Jonny Howson; Dieumerci Mbokani

Substitutes: Declan Rudd, Andre Wisdom, Ryan Bennett, Gary O’Neil, Wes Hoolahan, Matt Jarvis, Cameron Jerome

Referee: Anthony Taylor

First for nobody is going to enjoy this match

Second for True Geordie on suicide watch

I know Norwich only lost 1 away under Neill, but 9/2 on Newcastle is too good to not put on

>>6
You've got to come and enjoy these Irish tears this afternoon friend.

England footballer is at the centre of a blackmail plot after an eight-second video of him in a threesome was shared among his childhood friends on Snapchat

who was it lads

Has Tiote been booked yet?

>>8

among his childhood friends

Adam Johnson

>>8
V A R D Y
A
R
D
Y

>>8
Wheelchair seems like a top lad

nearly broke his fucking ankle

Some of your horses are alright. Don't go to the derby next week if you're in the North East.

imagine being a premier league footballer and havng paul simpson stood there barking instructions at you

like m8 you got sacked by stockport

we are clueless what to do with the ball wehn we cant pass it to wes

Name a team more boring than Norwich that isn't Watford

Pro tip: You can't

What is it with these big blacks and their edgy celebrations

Newcastle right now remind me so much of pre takeover manchester city tbh

conceded 2 goals to newcastle fucking united

might as well wind the club up and start again in the eastern counties

Newcastle will somehow find a way to lose.

Mark my words.

Repeating digits confirm.

Gunna stick a fiver on newcastle to lose.

Why the fuck is the relegation bowl on this time slot?

Norwich
Mememouth
Aston Villel

To go down tbh

this game shows why the Premier League is both the best league in the world and the shittest league in the world

>>26
Even as a Toon fan, you're delusional if you think Newcastle aren't prime candidates too

To think Norwich play in the pl

I'm a Norwich fan, should I kill myself?

>>30
Ask your god damn wife. You're looking for an excuse not to do it. If one person here says "go ahead dude, its all good" you'll use that to justify your own death. Don't do that. Your wife okayed you to go kill yourself on the premise that it stay dead. If you start up with some regular not killing yourself its going to get messy. You have a good thing going already. Don't fuck it up.