Alan Pardew's side travel to the Britannia Stadium with their unbeaten record in the Premier League intact. However they will not need reminding of the 4-0 beating that was handed to them by Tony Pulis' side last season.
Newcastle also conceded four goals in their mid-week Carling Cup clash against Blackburn Rovers. It signaled the end of their 11-game unbeaten run in all competitions. However, Pardew was content with the effort his side put in with Guthrie (8/1 anytime goalscorer) and Cabaye (11/2 anytime goalscorer) scoring two injury time goals to take it to extra time.
Monday night will give the Toon Army a chance to leapfrog Chelsea, who lost at home 5-3 to Arsenal, and sit behind Man Utd in outright third. Their position in the league can be attributed to many factors, but the six goals conceded in nine Premier League games highlights why Newcastle can boast the best defence in the League.
Much like their opposition Stoke's record at Britannia is just as impressive, they have only lost there once in the League and considering they did the double over Newcastle last season they will fancy their chances of taking something from the game. Tony Pulis has had his joint-best start to a campaign this season with 12 points from his first nine games and lying mid-table in eleventh will be seen as a solid platform to build from for the rest of the season.
William Hill have decided that the Match Winner offer on the game will be for the first goal scored to be a header 6/1, enhanced from 9/2. In normal fixtures this may well not be a tempter however with a competitive game on offer with two of the best defences in the league, a set piece could well be what decides the game and it is therefore well worth a punt.
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Source: FOOTYMAD
