Preview: Newc vs Portsmouth

Portsmouth and Newcastle both come into this game with quite similar records, and Newcastle have won their last four Premier League games at home, whilst Pompey have won their last four away games. Newcastle will be seeking a return to winning ways after losing to Reading last week.

Newcastle defender Abdoulaye Faye has been passed fit despite being taken ill during last week's defeat at Reading.

But striker Mark Viduka (calf), winger Damien Duff (ankle) and defender Stephen Carr (hamstring) are still out.

Portsmouth midfielder Sulley Muntari and left-back Hermann Hreidarsson are set to be missing again when their team makes the journey to St James' Park.

Muntari is struggling with a hamstring problem and Hreidarsson faces more treatment on a torn groin muscle.

Squads

Newcastle (from): Given, Harper, Beye, Enrique, Rozehnal, Taylor, Cacapa, Faye, Milner, Geremi, Butt, Emre, N'Zogbia, Barton, Smith, Pattison, Martins, Owen, Ameobi.

Portsmouth (from): James, Ashdown, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Taylor, Utaka, Diop, Davis, Pedro Mendes, Kranjcar, Benjani, Kanu, Pamarot, Lauren, Nugent, Traore, Muntari.

Eyefootball Premiership Predictor

Newcastle 1-0 Portsmouth

A difficult trip for Portsmouth as Sam Allardyce attempts to get another three points on the board. Martins and Owen will prove too much for Portsmouth, but the dangerman in this one could be N'Zogbia who is having a fantastic season.

Predictor: 1-0 to Newcastle

Goalscorer: N'Zogbia.