Preview: Newcastle United -Vs- Hull City

Hull City will look to pick up their first league points away from the KC Stadium when they travel to Newcastle this weekend.

Having lost both away fixtures this season, albeit it against title contenders Chelsea and Manchester City, a trip to Newcastle represents City`s first real possibility of picking up points away from home. The task of doing so is not as easy as it perhaps was earlier in the season with Newcastle having found some form, winning their last two games against Fulham and Aston Villa.

Newcastle United Team News

Steven Taylor has injured his hamstring in training and will be absent for the match, as will Argentinian winger Jonas Gutierrez and veteran striker Shola Ameobi.

Hull City Team News

Steve Bruce will be forced to make several changes to the side which drew 1-1 with Cardiff City. Captain Robert Koren has broken his foot and will be sidelined for up to eight weeks, allowing one of Stephen Quinn, David Meyler of George Boyd to take hold of a midfield place.

Maynor Figueroa has returned to Honduras on compassionate grounds whilst Joe Dudgeon, Paul McShane and Robbie Brady are all doubts; Brady the most likely to be fit enough to feature.

In attack, Danny Graham should continue as the lone striker despite the return of Yannick Sagbo from suspension. Nick Proshcwitz, who scored four goals in the reserves in midweek, will be rewarded with a place on the substitutes bench.

Recent Meetings

Hull City have won on their last two visits to Newcastle. A 2-1 Premier League win in 2008 set City on their way to a stunning run which saw City briefly joint top of the Premier League. In 2009, City also left victorious from an FA Cup 3rd round replay, winning the game 1-0.

The most recent meeting between the two sides was in March 2009, a 1-1 draw with City`s goal scored by Geovanni.

Officials

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Assistant Referee`s: P. Kirkup and A. Garratt

Fourth Official: D. Whitestone

Facts and Statistics

Both sides will be focusing on their miss-firing frontline. Whilst Danny Graham has become much talked about following a scoreless run extending to 20 games and nine months, Newcastle also have concerns in attack with Papiss Cisse has not found the back of the net in five months.

Newcastle have improved in recent weeks and have kept clean sheets in their last two games, although they have only scored once in their last five outings at home.

Prediction

Whichever side defends better could well win this game but City need to start picking up points away from home and must do so from this sort of fixture.

Newcastle United 1 – 1 Hull City