Newcastle United and Bolton both have European dreams

Both Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers sit into the Premier League top ten so could have one eye on a European qualification spot come the end of the season.

Getting into the Europa League would be some achievement for Newcastle, given they are a newly-promoted side, sacked their manager and replaced him with someone who was not a fans' choice, and also sold their star striker in January.

It has been a turbulent season so far for the St James' Park faithful but Pardew has got things right on the pitch in recent weeks.

Newcastle have only lost one league game since the turn of the year, a 1-0 loss to Fulham at the start of February, however four of those games have been draws. They did put in an assured performance to record a morale-boosting 1-0 win over Birmingham during midweek and are 11/10 to beat Bolton.

They do need to change a home record that shows only four wins at St James Park all season if they wish to remain high up the league and not get sucked down into danger. Leon Best and Peter Lovenkrands are likely to retain the two striking spots after they both scored in the win at St Andrews.

Newcastle currently sit ninth in the table and are only four points behind Liverpool in sixth, with Pardew setting his sights high and wanting the season to end in success rather than petering out.

For most Magpies fans, the 40-point barrier, which usually avoids relegation, would have been the primary aim for their first season back in the Premier League. But they have 35 points already and Pardew is aiming high.

"(Bolton) is a big, big game even though many will view it is as a game between two mid-table sides. But they will be in the same mood as us," the boss said.

"This game is pivotal in terms of attacking the top ten. If we win this we can attack the top ten. If we don't win this game then we've lost a big opportunity and the opportunity might be Europe."

Bolton have also exceeded expectations this season under Owen Coyle, and many fans will remember the Trotters thrashed Newcastle 5-1 at the Reebok Stadium earlier in the campaign, and they are 3/1 to beat them again.

The visitors come into this game having won four of their last five matches, but they have injury concerns in defence as Zat Knight and Sam Ricketts are both out. Paul Robinson, David Wheater, Gary Cahill and Marcos Alonso made up the back four in Bolton's FA Cup game with Fulham and are likely to retain their places.

With both clubs having one eye on the Europa League there is potential for a classic battle at St James Park on Saturday.