Newcastle v Watford: match preview

Moussa Sissoko returns to Newcastle in Watford’s midfield as Claudio Ranieri’s side aim to arrest a run of seven straight defeats in all competitions against a Newcastle side with only one win to their name. Both Eddie Howe and Ranieri accept a draw will not be good enough in a relegation skirmish being dubbed a 12-pointer. Much could hinge on the performance of two forwards, Newcastle’s £25m signing, Chris Wood, and Ranieri’s £3.6m leading scorer, Emmanuel Dennis. After this, 17th-placed Watford face two more of the bottom three in the next week, travelling to Burnley on Tuesday and entertaining Norwich on Friday. Louise Taylor

Saturday 3pm

Venue St James’ Park

Last season n/a

Referee Paul Tierney

This season G15 Y61 R1 4.13 cards/game

Odds H 19-17 A 27-10 D 27-10

NEWCASTLE

Subs from Darlow, Gillespie, Dummett, Clark, Krafth, Willock, Almirón, Hendrick, Gayle, White, Anderson

Doubtful Darlow (illness), Gayle (illness), Clark (illness), Lascelles (illness)

Injured Lewis (thigh, 22 Jan), Fernández (thigh, Feb), Hayden (knee, Mar), Wilson (calf, Apr)

Suspended Manquillo (one match)

Discipline Y47 R2

Form DWLLLD

Leading scorer Wilson 6

WATFORD

Subs from Elliot, Foster, Fletcher, Gosling, Hernández, Angelini, Conteh, Morris, Cleverley, Pedro, Kabasele, Rose, Samir, Kayembe

Doubtful Kabasele (calf), Foster (groin)

Injured Sarr (knee, Feb), Etebo (quadriceps, Mar), Nkoulou (hamstring, Apr), Baah (ankle, unknown)

Suspended None

Unavailable Louza, Masina, Troost-Ekong (all at Africa Cup of Nations)

Discipline Y34 R1

Form LLLLLL

Leading scorer Dennis 8