Following their remarkable rise towards the Champions League spots in the Premier League of late, Newcastle United will turn their attentions to the FA Cup as they welcome Bromley to St James' Park on Sunday.
The Magpies continue to battle on three fronts this term after the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final earlier this week, whilst the Ravens are fighting hard for success in League Two.
Match preview
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Since the 4-2 defeat away at Brentford in West London on December 7, Newcastle United have enjoyed a marvellous seven-game winning run across the Premier League and EFL Cup, dismissing worries that the North-East giants could begin to stagnate amid a troubling situation with Profit and Sustainability rules.
Chasing their maiden major honour of the 21st century, the Magpies took a big leap towards Wembley with a massive result on Tuesday night, when strikes either side of the half-time interval from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon sealed a 2-0 win over Arsenal in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final.
Before welcoming Mikel Arteta's Gunners to St James' Park for the reverse fixture in early February, Newcastle must turn their attentions momentarily to the opening stages of their FA Cup campaign, a quest that ended at the quarter-final stage last term against Manchester City.
Collecting a maximum of 15 points from their latest five top-flight encounters, the Magpies arrive into this clash in sensational form, with Eddie Howe's troops sitting fifth place in the Premier League table, one point behind Chelsea in the lowest of the Champions League spots.
Four games unbeaten at their North-East base, Newcastle should be especially confident of progressing into the fourth round at the expense of League Two Bromley on Sunday afternoon, with the Europe-chasing outfit conceding just eight goals across nine St James' Park battles in the Premier League this term.
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Whilst not being the smallest fish in the first and second rounds of this season's FA Cup, humble Bromley managed to achieve a marvellous feat to set up a glamorous tie against Newcastle, with Sunday's visitors entering the third-round draw for the first time in their history.
The Ravens have enjoyed a favourable route to St James' Park over the past two months, winning a seven-goal thriller at non-league Rochdale in early November before edging past fellow National League outfit Solihull Moors in the West Midlands to earn a third match in the competition.
Andy Woodman's side come into this clash cherishing memories of a 10-game unbeaten run across all competitions from early November to the start of January, although Bromley's most recent contest resulted in their heaviest defeat of the campaign to date, losing 4-1 at Crewe Alexandra on January 5.
That being said, the Ravens are still enjoying a highly-respectable start to their first-ever campaign in the EFL, with Sunday's visitors currently occupying 12th spot in the League Two table, a mammoth 14 points ahead of Morecambe in the highest of the relegation spots.
Whilst few in the Bromley squad have plied their trade at Premier League level, there are a couple of players who those of a Newcastle persuasion should keep a keen eye on this weekend including striker Michael Cheek, with the 33-year-old already scoring 13 goals during his maiden season in the EFL.
Team News
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Newcastle United talisman Isak suffered a slight hamstring issue during the win at Arsenal on Tuesday, so the Swede is expected to be rested as a precaution this weekend.
Staying on the striker front, Callum Wilson has returned to the grass following a hamstring injury but is yet to commence training with his teammates.
Yet to feature this campaign because of a knee problem, defender Jamaal Lascelles is slowly making his recovery, with head coach Howe reluctant to name a potential date for his comeback.
Nick Pope is still a bit away from first-team action following a knock, meaning that Martin Dubravka could start in between the sticks once again.
After shipping four goals at Crewe last time out, Bromley will need to improve drastically in defence, with Callum Reynolds likely to drop out of the XI.
There is an argument for an influx of experience into the Ravens side this weekend, so we could see 37-year-old Byron Webster turning out from the start at St James' Park.
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Dubravka; Trippier, Kelly, Burn, Targett; Longstaff, Miley, Willock; Barnes, Almiron, Osula
Bromley possible starting lineup:
Smith; Webster, Sowunmi, Reynolds; Imray, Thompson, Arthurs, Odutayo, Whitley; Cheek, Dennis
We say: Newcastle United 3-0 Bromley
Battering teams in the Premier League, Newcastle should have no issues in putting fourth-tier Bromley to the sword at St James' Park this weekend.
The Magpies have an array of talent in reserve should they rotate their XI, meaning that there is little hope for the Ravens of a historic upset in the North-East.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
