EL: Match Preview/Stats/Thread: Newcastle v FC Metalist
By Tyne-Talk February 14 2013
Newcastle United host FC Metalist Kharkiv this evening in the first leg of the first knock out stages of the Europa League. In their respective Leagues/domestic competitions, Newcastle have won two, lost three and drawn one of their last six games in all competitions, whilst Metalist travel on the back of one defeat, four wins and one draw in theirs, however they haven’t played a game so far in 2013.
FC Metalist travelled to the North East a week ago and since arriving in the UK they have played a warm up friendly with local side Whitley Bay. They draw 1-1.
Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew is expected to give Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa his first start for the club, whilst Moussa Sissoko, Cheik Tiote and Yohan Cabaye are all expected to start.
Mathieu Debuchy is unavailable for the competition so will watch from the stands.
Newcastle are without Yoan Gouffran (shin/calf & ineligible) who was injured against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, Danny Simpson (toe) and Sammy Ameobi (hamstring). Dan Gosling (knee), Ryan Taylor (knee) and Haris Vuckic (knee) all have long term injuries, whilst Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring) is not expected back until the end of the month.
It was implied that Adam Campbell could participate after he wasn’t named in the reserve squad currently in Italy.
FC Metalist will be fresh and without injuries, having not played in the Ukraine League since 1st December 2012, they face Newcastle twice before their next League game on 2nd March 2013.
However, they sold Brazilian striker Freda Barcellos Taison last month and this will be the first competitive game they have played without him.
The club owner of FC Metalist has flown 500 fans over from the Ukraine on 3 chartered flights, with fans already in the UK also expected to travel to the game.
Pardew told The Chronicle, ahead of the game;
“I think we look at the other teams in the competition, and there are definitely stronger teams than us in terms of experience, and you could argue in quality.
We’re going to have to make that up with spirit and endeavour. I think we have that in the group. We have a fresh team, as some players haven’t had a lot of football.
Tiote, you could argue, hasn’t had anywhere near the amount of games as last year, nor Cabaye.
Cabaye and Taylor, particularly, look fresh. That might help us.”
He added;
"My team will be the strongest it can be, we're trying to win the Europa League. We want more European nights at St James' Park. Getting through the group stage was tough for us and we don't want all that effort and hard work to go to waste."
Fact: Newcastle go into the game unbeaten in their last 22 European home games (excludes the Intertoto Cup) with 18 wins and 4 draws.
EL: Match Preview/Stats/Thread: Newcastle v FC Metalist
Posted by: TyneTalk (IP Logged)
Date: 14/02/2013 12:58
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must say i'm suprised how strong the team is going to be tonight, i thought it would be a good game to let anita marveaux and obertan get a start but doesn't look like it and i thought saylor might get a rest with him just coming back from injury!
Ugh FOUR Europa games on over here, not one of them the one I want to watch. Stuck with Inter v some putz and Spuds v. Lyon at the time we play, guess I can do some scouting for who we pinch from the french League next next in the second match.
Will be a tough ask out there. What time is the kick off is the match on T.V. They are a good passing side with their South American players not a surprise really.
I think it will be a strong team for the next match, we have a few players who wont be playing who will be available for the saints match so thios will allow us to play pretty much the same team as the first leg!
The use of marveaux and Anita will be very important over the next 2 games!
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