Game On! Newcastle v Metalist Kharkiv
Game On at a floodlit SJP The Europa League returns to centre stage this evening as Ukrainian side Metalist Kharkiv travel to St James' Park in the first leg of this two-legged Round of 32 tie.
Newcastle will want to put themselves in a position to secure passage into the next round by getting as much of the job done as they can tonight.
With no league game at the weekend a strong team is likely to be picked and the aim has to be a comfortable win to take to Ukraine next Thursday with the ultimate aim of meeting either Hannover of Germany or Anzhi Makhachkala of Russia in the Round of 16.
However United will have to be wary of the threat that Metalist Kharkiv can and will pose. This isn't your stereotypical Ukrainian outfit full of physical powerhouses who can run all day. These are good technical players, the majority of which come from South America no doubt lured by their owners significant wealth. They won't be the pushovers some seem to be expecting.
For a bit of background ahead of the match, such as advanced team news, injury updates, a history of United in the Europa League, some stats and facts rounded off with some random thoughts, why not take a peek at out match preview if you haven't already done so or simply wish to have another look? You can view it online here.
Tickets are still being sold for the game and are available via cash turnstiles right up to pretty much kick-off time, and with tickets priced at just £15 for adults and £5 for children you should head down there and cheer the lads on.
However if you don't want to or can't get down to St James' Park then why not watch it live on ESPN? Or on an internet stream if you haven't got ESPN? Again if you'd like to share any decent streams please feel free to do so by leaving a link to said stream in the 'comments' section below.
As ever, team news will be updated below as and when I can get it published which shouldn't take long as I have a rare night off. However I dare say somebody will post in the comments section below quicker than I can get it published so if you're that impatient have a mooch and I'm sure you'll come across it.
Which about wraps this up and now it's left to us to see what kind of strong team Alan Pardew decides to play.
Howay the lads!
Newcastle:Tim Krul; Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini, Davide Santon; Cheik Tiote, Yohan Cabaye; Gabriel Obertan, Moussa Sissoko, Jonas Gutierrez; Papiss Cisse
Subs: Rob Elliot, Danny Simpson, Massadio Haidara, Vurnon Anita, James Perch, Sylvain Marveaux, Shola Ameobi
Metalist Kharkiv: Oleksandr Horyainov; Cristian Villagra, Papa Gueye, Marco Torsiglieri, Fininho; Edmar Halovskyi, Juan Manuel Torres; Marlos, Cleiton Xavier, Jose Ernesto Sosa; Jonathan Cristaldo
Subs: Vladimir Disljenkovic, Andriy Berezovchuk, Oleh Shelayev, Sebastian Blanco, Jaja Coelho, Oleh Krasnopyorov, Willian Gomes
