Newcastle United's slide towards the bottom three has made Saturday's clash with West Bromwich Albion their most important game of the season.

The Baggies are safe from the drop following a strong run of form, and will be confident of plunging Newcastle into deeper trouble this weekend.

Newcastle United

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Newcastle appear to be a club in crisis following a torrid run of eight straight defeats, which has happened for only the second time in their history.

When John Carver took over from Alan Pardew in January, relegation was unthinkable but it is now a real possibility as they head into the final three games of the season.

The fans will hope that things can't get any worse than last weekend, when they slumped to a heavy 3-0 loss at Leicester City and finished the game with nine men.

Carver even accused centre-back Mike Williamson of deliberately earning a red card to avoid the relegation dog fight, and then reportedly offered to resign after the heavy loss.

Derby County boss Steve McClaren was widely expected to take charge this summer, and was reportedly approached to take over from Carver for the remainder of the season.

However, he pledged his allegiance to the Championship side this week, leaving Newcastle's future even more uncertain.

They sit 15th in the Premier League table but only two points clear of 18th-placed Sunderland, who have a game in hand, while all of their other rivals have hit form at the right time.

However, their run-in is kinder than those around them as they have two home games against mid-table opposition and an away game at Queens Park Rangers, who could be relegated this weekend.

Avoiding defeat is imperative against a West Brom side who will enter the match with confidence.

Recent form: LLLLLL

West Bromwich Albion

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Although they won't admit it with three games to go, it's a case of job done at West Brom, who have secured Premier League football for another year.

Their SOS call to Tony Pulis has paid dividends, and seven points out of nine has lifted them clear of danger and up into 13th place.

Last weekend, Pulis earned his first ever win over Manchester United with a 1-0 success at Old Trafford courtesy of a Chris Brunt free kick, while they previously held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw.

The Baggies have won back-to-back away games at Crystal Palace and United, while they could finish as high as ninth if results go their way.

Pulis is expected to overhaul his squad this summer as he looks to put his own stamp on things, and the Midlands club are expected to spend significant money.

Funds from new owners would help, and a takeover has been suggested by the end of the month.

For now they will be celebrating their escape from relegation and hoping to continue an impressive mini-run with victory in the North-East.

Recent form: DDDWDW

Team News

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John Carver has a defensive dilemma yet again as he will be without Williamson and Daryl Janmaat, who were both dismissed at Leicester. Williamson will miss two games, while Janmaat will only miss Saturday's match.

Carver will hope that Paul Dummett is fit enough to start as cover at centre-back, and shift across from his usual left-back berth.

Jonas Gutierrez or Ryan Taylor could move from midfield to replace Dummett at left-back, while Vernon Anita has experience of playing right-back this season.

Creative midfielder Siem de Jong will have a scan before the match, while Rolando Aarons could make his long-awaited return from injury.

Carver is likely to throw striker Papiss Cisse straight back into the mix after he returned from a seven-match ban.

West Brom could be without midfielder James Morrison, who missed their win at Manchester United through injury.

Powerful striker Victor Anichebe is tipped to start alongside Saido Berahino if Pulis reverts to a 4-4-2 formation.

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Krul, Anita, Coloccini, Dummett, Taylor, Gutierrez, Cabella, Colback, Sissoko, Cisse, Perez

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Myhill, Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Lescott, Gardner, Yacob, Fletcher, Brunt, Berahino, Anichebe.

Head To Head

This will be the 121st meeting between the two sides, and they have identical overall records with 44 wins each.

At St James' Park, the home side have an impressive record with 30 victories and have won the last two games at the stadium.

Earlier this season, Pardew guided Newcastle to a 2-0 win at The Hawthornes courtesy of goals from Fabricio Coloccini and Ayoze Perez.

The Baggies have won just one of their last six games against the Magpies, but previously enjoyed an unbeaten six-game run.

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Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:

We say: Newcastle United 2-2 West Bromwich Albion

West Brom will fancy their chances against Newcastle's makeshift defence, but the hosts should be buoyed by the return of Papiss Cisse.

With defeat not an option for the hosts, we're going for a close, entertaining, nervy 2-2 draw.

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