NEWCASTLE VS STOKE CITY: PREVIEW AND TIPS

What a difference 18 months can make. Rewind a year and a half and Newcastle were at a new low having just been relegated from the Premier League.
Fast forward to this afternoon, and they are boasting a week whereby they have seen off past Premiership hotshots Everton, as well as travelled to Stamford Bridge to knock Premiership champions Chelsea out of the Carling Cup.
However, it is all up to the Magpies this afternoon to ensure that none of this good work is undone by a loss to Stoke City at St. James Park.
On the team news front Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi will be hoping to start after scoring twice in Wednesday's victory at Chelsea.
Magpies keeper Steve Harper has been ruled out for three months after damaging his shoulder, with second choice Tim Krul set to make his Premiership debut this afternoon
Stoke are still awaiting a go ahead on winger Jermaine Pennant, who picked up a slight hamstring strain last weekend, with keeper Thomas Sorensen and midfielder Rory Delap  likely returning to the starting XI.
With the last meeting between these two clubs at St James Park producing a 2-2 draw, many feel that today's Newcastle side is a shadow of its former self to that of two seasons ago.
Newcastle has enjoyed excellent form this season boasting three wins, a draw and a loss, with the bookies forecasting this form to continue
William Hill have the Magpies as favourites at 1.95, to Stoke at 4.0. This provides an excellent opportunity as Newcastle will without doubt romp home this afternoon.
With the Magpies having scored 11 goals in their last five fixtures, one would assume that they will continue this form at home this afternoon.
A Newcastle win at 1-1 is set at 7.0, with a 3-1 win at 17.0
A surprise Stoke win could be rather lucrative with a 2-0 upset win set at 21.0!
On the goalscoring front, Andy Carroll is expected to get at least one this afternoon at 2.2, however Shola Amoebi having shown superb class in the midweek will most certainly get in on the action at an enticing 2.87
This match provides some serious earning potential, in that the bookies are still having jitters whether or not Newcastle can maintain their current form.
Simply put...they can.
They are playing in front of a passionate St James crowd, with a renewed vigour for the top-flight. Newcastle will win today, and do so comfortably
Betting Tip: Newcastle for the outright win at 1.95