Newcastle visit Leicester for the Sky televised fixture, with their nearest rivals kicking off just over 4 hours earlier in an East Midlands Derby. Before Saturday’s hostilities begin, the Magpies know a draw will keep them flying high.

Following on from the midweek win against Palace, the Toon seek their second double of the week, and indeed the season. Leicester are never an easy task away, historically being one of the toughest fixtures with only 20% away wins.

Recent form has not been kind to the Foxes, having slipped from 2^nd in the table at the end of October, to their current 8^th. The last win was on Boxing Day, since when they have dropped out of the playoff positions with 1 point and 1 goal from 3 games.

The man charged with reversing recent fortunes is a former Newcastle coach, Nigel Pearson, who had also been caretaker manager twice at St James’. He was in charge of Leicester as they won promotion from League 1. His team gave Newcastle a tough time in the home fixture, holding the Magpies to a 1-0 victory with a superb Guthrie strike.

In goal for the Foxes we expect to see West country keeper Chris Weale, finally a number one choice at the age of 27. Experience comes at right back with 32 year old Wayne Brown, at his 5^th club with 8 loans in his career. Alongside him in central defence, we should see veteran 40 year old, Chris Powell. The relatively youthful Morrison and Hobbs should complete the quartet.

Midfield could see another familiar face for the visitors, with another veteran, Nobby Solano, set for a home debut depending on international clearance. Other options include Oakley, Gallagher, Wellens and N’Guessan who looked most lively at St James’.

Last time out, the strike force comprised Sunderland loan player, Waghorn alongside frenchman Yann Kermorgant. A double substitution bringing back top scorer Fryatt, and Geordie boy, Steve Howard, the Foxes’ only league scorer this year.

Hughton seeks to continue his permanent managerial record as unbeaten in the league, taking the clubs unbeaten run to 14 games. Pearson will be as unfamiliar with the line up as Hughton is, following a flurry of signings.

Steve Harper will be looking for his 16^th clean sheet, behind a new defensive combination. Right back could be Ryan Taylor, back from suspension, with Kadar showing promise earlier in the week. Tamas could be unlucky altogether, with Chelsea loan defender van Aarnholt potentially set for a debut on the left.

Central defence should see Coloccini start, probably with Williamson making his debut as a permanent signing after a man of the match performance on emergency loan against Palace. Also banging on the door will be another new boy, on loan from QPR Fitz-Hall.

Smith is now an automatic selection in midfield, and Jonas always lively in defence or driving forward guaranteed on the left. Routledge, after an impressive substitute appearance at home in midweek, could take the right sot, with Guthrie hoping to move into the middle and possibly Nolan pushing forward in a possible 5 man midfield.

Up front, Carroll is nearly always a handful, Lovenkrands hoping to recover from a midweek knock. Ranger must also be pressing after a superb finish against Palace and Shola is still out.

Referee for the evening is finally one with a Premier League record after a string of below par youngsters and off the pace elders. Andre Marriner’s last 3 games gave each result for the Toon at St James’, an away win being the last possible result in his armoury.

Marriner has been in charge for 4 Leicester games, the last being an away win at Wednesday in 2007. They have not won at home under him in 2 attempts. After away wins under him for the first 5 matches of the season, he has only had one in the 16 games since.

When looking for a result, each match since the turn of the millennium has ended in a draw. Newcastle find scoring difficult in Leicester, with 14 blanks in the last 26, and 4 in the last 7. However, Leicester are also in a barren run.

We can expect a tight game, with a lot of honest endeavour, and the most likely to break the deadlock being the less predictable new boys. Leicester have yet to lose after going ahead, so the first goal could be crucial. In keeping with tradition, the old boy Solano or Geordie Howard could be most likely to score for the home side.

No match between these two at Leicester has finished scoreless and Leicester have never failed to score at home in the 2^nd tier against Newcastle – but the same was said before the 4-0 Ipswich away win!

Newcastle in Leicester:

P55 W11 D13 L31 F71 A110

2^nd tier

P16 W2 D5 L9 F25 A38

• Rest In Peace Number 9
• Mike Ashley Uncovered
• PUMA® And NUFC Confirmed
• Leon Best Deal Almost Done
• Hall Fitz The Bill
• A Window Of Opportunity
• Leicester City v Newcastle United – Match Preview
• Fitz Hall Pens Loan Deal
• Geremi Has Left The Building
• Talk Of The Tyne – Coming Soon!