Boxing Day has been the fixture with Newcastle’s worst record over 20 years. The last away win was in 1988 against Sheffield Wednesday. Will history repeat itself?

In the intervening 20 years since that last Boxing Day win, Newcastle have only won 3 out of 20 matches, all of them at home and the last of them being in 2001 since when 2 points have been gained out of 21.

The Toon’s recent form with 25 points from the last confirms them as the team to beat, whilst Wednesday have 2 points from the last 30, without a goal in the last 6 matches. The time will bever be better for the visitors to improve on their solitary 2^nd tier win in 10 visits to Hillsborough.

For the third match in succession, the manager trying to plot the Magpies’ downfall is a protégé of Sir Alex Ferguson. In this case, Sean McCauley was a youth team player at ManU before moving on to St Johnstone. He had a career in the lower English leagues before playing for the man he has replaced, Brian Laws, as a defender at Scunthorpe, the last team to beat the Toon . His previous spell as caretaker, back in2006, saw the Owls to 3 wins out of 4.

The financial situation at Wednesday has led to a compact squad. Having made changes for the last match against Swansea, it is hard to see what other options McCauley has left, which means that Lee Grant will continue in goal. Grant was identified earlier in the year by former Toon keeper, Martin Thomas, as having potential for the England squad and acquitted himself well at SJP earlier in the season.

The back four is likely to be a rarity in English football, totally made up of English players. Captain Darren Purse has been a bit of a journeyman, with a few Premier League seasons, but no win against Newcastle in 6 attempts. Lee Buston also has mimited EPL experience at Stoke.

Local 22 year old left back, Tommy Spurr has already made over 150 appearances for the Owls, while another local youngster, 6ft4 and 20 year old Mark Beevers completes the quartet.

Midfield is likely to be a slightly more cosmopolitan mix, with Jamaican winger Jermaine Johnson, and the most likely playmaker, Irishman, James O’Connor. Former Liverpool reserve team colleague of Guthrie, Darren potter provides a threat from range. Sean McAllister is likely to complete the quartet, with ex-mackem Michael Gray another option.

Up front, former Wolves striker Leon Clarke looks set to lead the line. One of the more impressive players in the defeat earlier this season was partner Marcus Tudgay, whose early Wednesday career was blighted by a barbeque injury. In the background are the unfulfilled potential of Francis Jeffers and Barbadian Tom Soares on loan from Stoke.

Chris Hughton will be trying to put the Boxing Day history behind him as he seeks to continue his unbeaten run as permanent manager. The last visit to South Yorkshire, with the only 2 dropped points in the last 9 games should convince Hughton to play the stable back 5 of Harper, Simpson, Steve Taylor, Coloccini and Enrique.

Hopefully, Alan Smith will overcome his knock from the Boro game to resume the holding role, with Butt on standby. Butt could play if Hughton continues with 4-5-1 away from home, although visiting supporters will hope that he is held in reserve for the Derby match.

Jonas is sure to provide balance on the left, while Guthrie proved his worth in setting up the second against Boro. Top scorer, Nolan, is a certain selection, with Ryan Taylor on standby to move into the right sided role in a 4-5-1.

Up front, Ameobi, with 6 goals in 6 starts, including the winner at home against the Owls, will also hope to overcome his knock last time out, with only one more goal needed to equal John Tudor in the all time scorers’ table. Andy Carroll is back from suspension, with Marlon Harewood, scorer of 4 in 5 appearances, likely to feature in his last match before the end of his loan spell.

With another match coming up two days later, the bench will be strong, and likely to be used. On hand should be defensive cover in the shape of Kadar, and other options restricted by loans coming to an end. Visiting supporters will look for clues as to which youngsters might take their place on the bench ahead of the likes of Geremi.

Referee for the occasion is the youthful Stuart Atwell, who is already no stranger to controversy despite his tender 26 years. Supporters from both sides will hope that he respects the occasion following a naïve blunder in a Bobby Robson tribute match at the Hawthorns, as well as the goal give for Reading, despite being 4 yards wide, at Watford. Atwell remains the man most likely to deny the visitors a win.

Forecasts are made a hard call, not least due to Hughton’s away tactics, the injury situation and the referee. Selection could be quirky with the proximity of the Derby match and the availablility of loan players.

If Hughton follows supporters’ choices, it is hard to see where the home side’s first goal in 7 games will come from apart from Atwell. Goals from Newcastle can come from all areas of the field, with 9 scorers in 9 games. However, with a view to the home game two days later, a clinical 2-0 away win is the most probable outcome.

Newcastle at Wednesday

P61 W14 D21 L26 F65 A90

2^nd tier

P10 W1 D3 L6 F9 A17

Boxing Day last 19 years

P19 W3 D5 L11 F19 A29

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