Gameweek 6 concludes this evening with a Monday night battle at The Britannia. Mark Hughes’ side have yet to either score or pick up a point at home this season after losing both their opening fixtures in front of the Potters supporters – form in stark contrast to last season’s, where they lost at home on just three occasions.
Hughes’ troops will be buoyed by their visitors’ league displays. Newcastle have drawn blanks in both their road trips, though a midweek cup win at Hull, where new boy Emmanuel Riviere notched twice, will boost their confidence.
Mark Hughes makes just a single alteration from the side that drew against QPR last weekend, bringing in Mark Muniesa for Erik Pieters at left-back after the former notched twice in a cup win at Sunderland. Further up the field, Victor Moses, Charlie Adam and Mame Biram Diouf line up behind lone striker Peter Crouch.
For the Magpies, Tim Krul, Yoan Gouffran and Papiss Cisse recover from illness, though the latter continues on the bench as he’s eased back into action following a long-term knee injury. Daryl Janmaat and Cheick Tiote also retain their starting berths after overcoming knocks sustained in last week’s home draw with Hull.
9 years, 8 months agoIf Downing didn't have such great fixtures next two games then Moses would have been a perfect alternative. He's central to every Stoke attack..