Stoke City v Newcastle United 
Alan Pardew remains under pressure as Newcastle United travel to Stoke City. Pardew’s position as manager has been the subject of intense scrutiny following a miserable start to the season and there were reports last week that he could be sacked if Newcastle lose at the Britannia Stadium. However, owner Mike Ashley later suggested that his light-hearted threat to remove Pardew was made to humour the journalist and the under-fire manager has taken the comment as a way of showing support.
Pardew has also thanked the fans for getting behind the team rather than focus on protesting against him, and there have been signs that Newcastle may be beginning to turn the corner. Having come from behind to hold Hull City 2-2 last weekend, the Magpies then knocked Crystal Palace out of the Capital One Cup with a 3-2 victory after extra-time. Burnley’s 4-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday also lifted Newcastle off the bottom of the table on goal difference, although they are still awaiting a first league win after picking up just three points from five games.
Stoke are only a couple of points better off and will slip into the relegation zone if they suffer a home defeat. Mark Hughes’ men will be determined not to let that happen, although their form at the Britannia Stadium has been surprisingly poor. Stoke’s home record is usually a strength but this season they have lost both their league games, against Aston Villa and Leicester City, and all of their success has come on the road.
The 1-0 victory at Manchester City, together with draws against Hull City and Queens Park Rangers, suggests that Stoke have the potential to push up the table quickly if they start to click in front of their own fans. The Potters will also have been buoyed by a 2-1 Capital Cup One success against Sunderland in midweek.