Newcastle vs Stoke: Team news, kick-off time, probable line-ups, odds and stats from the Premier League clash

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Newcastle vs Stoke (St James' Park)

Team news

Newcastle

Chancel Mbemba could return to the Newcastle squad for Saturday's Premier League clash with Stoke.

The Democratic Republic of Congo defender returned from international duty with a hamstring problem amid suggestions he could be out of action for several weeks, but manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed that only full-backs Paul Dummett (also hamstring) and Massadio Haidara (knee) are absent through injury.

Chancel Mbemba could return for Newcastle against Mark Hughes' Stoke side

Keeper Karl Darlow is also fit again after a thigh strain, but striker Aleksandar Mitrovic serves the second instalment of his three-match ban.

Provisional squad: Elliot, Darlow, Woodman, Yedlin, Manquillo, Mbemba, Gamez, Lascelles, Clark, Lejeune, Hayden, Merino, Shelvey, Saivet, Ritchie, Atsu, Murphy, Aarons, Diame, Barlaser, Perez, Gayle, Joselu.

Stoke

Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross is rated as "touch and go" for Saturday's Premier League trip to Newcastle.

The defender has been carrying a back problem which forced him out of last weekend's draw against Manchester United, so will not be rushed into a return.

Ryan Shawcross is a major doubt for Stoke's trip to Newcastle on Saturday afternoon

American defender Geoff Cameron (hamstring) is not fit, while Dutch midfielder Ibrahim Afellay (knee) and Stephen Ireland (broken leg) continue their rehabilitation from a long-term injuries.

Provisional Squad: Butland, Zouma, Cameron, Wimmer, Diouf, Pieters, Allen, Fletcher, Jese, Shaqiri, Choupo-Moting, Haugaard, Berahino, Martins Indi, Crouch, Adam, Sobhi, Grant, Tymon, Shawcross.

Key match stats (supplied by Opta)

Newcastle have only lost once in their last 13 home matches versus the Potters in all competitions – 1-2 in September 2010 (W9 D3).

Stoke are unbeaten in their last five Premier League games against Newcastle, keeping a clean sheet on four occasions (W3 D2 L0).

The Potters have won just once on their last 13 away Premier League visits to the north east (D4 L8), although that win came last time out versus Sunderland in January (3-1).

Newcastle have won four of their seven Premier League home matches under Rafa Benitez (W4 D2 L1), the same total the Magpies won in 14 attempts under his predecessor Steve McClaren.

Newcastle will be looking to win three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since November 2014, when they won five in a row under Alan Pardew.

Newcastle are looking to win three straight top flight games for first time since November 2014

Stoke City have just two of their last 14 away games in the Premier League (W2 D3 L9), although one of those wins came in the north-east; defeating Sunderland 3-1 in January.

Newcastle have the youngest average starting XI lineup so far in the 2017-18 Premier League (25y 223d old).

Newcastle are set to play a Premier League match with a positive goal difference for the first time since February 2014, when they faced Chelsea at Stamford Bridge - they lost 3-0 to end the day with a goal difference of -2.

Only versus Sunderland (11) has Mark Hughes won more Premier League games as a manager than against Newcastle (9).

A league-high 34.5% of Newcastle United’s passes in the Premier League this season have been played in to the attacking third of the pitch.

Since the start of last season Matt Ritchie (9) has provided more assists in league competition than any other Newcastle player, including assisting Jamaal Lascelles' winner vs Swansea last time out.