Stoke City welcome Newcastle United to the Britannia Stadium on Monday, looking to capitalise on the toxic atmosphere currently engulfing the Magpies and their manager Alan Pardew. They've been in awful form in recent months, and despite a pretty busy summer transfer window, they've kicked off the current campaign by picking up just three points from their opening five games. Only newly-promoted Burnley have made a worse start.
Stoke City vs. Newcastle United live stream: How to watch the EPL online, TV schedule and more
Will Newcastle record their first win of the season away at Stoke on Monday?
Mike Hewitt
Stoke head into the game not sitting much prettier: Mark Hughes' side have amassed five points from as many games, having only managed to pick up one win so far this season. However, the Potters have made a game of somehow always managing to finish safely above the relegation zone, and there's no real reason to believe they won't do so again this time around.
Stoke are notoriously difficult to beat at home, and you have to go back almost three years for the last time Newcastle won at the Britannia. That was a much happier time for the Magpies, who finished the campaign in fifth place -- above even Chelsea.
Key player - Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle United)
Once upon a time Fabricio Coloccini was one of the best defenders in the Premier League. Now, the 32-year-old Argentine veteran looks a shadow of his former self. He’s reportedly been trying to force a move back to Argentina for quite a while, and perhaps his consistently awful performances so far this season are his new form of protesting. If he plays as badly as he has recently against Stoke, it’s tough to envisage Newcastle picking up anything.
Key matchup - Victor Moses vs. Daryl Janmaat
Stoke City's most dangerous attacker is almost certainly left-winger Victor Moses, who has started life at the Britannia in terrific form after making the loan move from Chelsea in the summer. His pace and directness gives him the potential to terrorise Newcastle's new right-back Daryl Janmaat, who is still settling in after making the move to the Premier League from Feyenoord in the summer.
Stoke City injuries and suspensions
Out: Geoff Cameron (hernia), Peter Odemwingie (knee). In doubt: Jonathan Walters (calf).
Newcastle United injuries and suspensions
Out: Rolando Aarons (hamstring), Mehdi Abeid (suspended), Adam Campbell (hernia), Davide Santon (ankle), Siem de Jong (thigh), Facundo Ferreyra (back), Curtis Good (groin), Jonás Gutiérrez (illness), Ryan Taylor (match fitness). In doubt: Daryl Janmaat (muscular).
Stoke have three players on their injury list, but none are crucial first-teamers. Newcastle’s problem is much greater, with several important players ruled out for them. Chief among them are full-back Davide Santon and summer signing Siem de Jong, though they hope to have Daryl Janmaat available after a muscle strain.
Match Date/Time: Monday, 8 p.m. local, 3 p.m. ET
Venue: Britannia Stadium, Stoke, England
TV: NBCSN, Directv (U.S.), TSN1, TSN4 (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.), TSN Go (Canada), Sky Go (U.K.)
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