Hull City (A)

We've said a lot of this recently but this is a must win game for the Magpies....

The game comes too early for Habib Beye, back in full training and looking like he'll be available for the Arsenal game. Michael Owen is sure to play some part with the caretakers needing to decide whether Owen starts and who gives way.

The selection headache is surely a good one to have: Does Lovenkrands start and Owen gets maybe 30 mins in preparation for the London assault on Tyneside in our next two home games? Does Owen start and Lovenkrands drops in to a wide position at the expense of R.Taylor or does S.Taylor give way leaving R.Taylor at right back and available for set pieces. We think that if Owen does start, Lovenkrands will be the one to make way with Jonas playing in his seemingly preferred left sided slot and R.Taylor continuing at right midfield. It may not be this simple however as many news outlets are reporting Damien Duff as fit....

Kevin Nolan sits out the last game of his suspension meaning Nicky Butt may be partnered in midfield with Alan Smith or the unlikely to be fit in time Danny Guthrie. This can be our only concern as a pairing of Smith and Butt says 'defend' whereas we clearly need to take Hull on, carrying forward our positive showing against the Champions.

Defeat is unthinkable and a draw does nothing for us with the likes of Blackburn picking up form and Portsmouth having a game in hand. Our fate is in our hands with Hull, Fulham, Portsmouth and Stoke still to play. We must make sure that we're not cut adrift today with the Gunners and a resurgent Chelski due at St James' in the near future.

Beyewatch Prediction? - 2 nil to the mags...