Newcastle United will focus on making themselves difficult to beat against Aston Villa, rather than going all-out for a win.
That is the telling verdict of former Magpies coach Mark Lawrenson who believes Steve Bruce will adopt a cagey approach to this evening's 'must-win' clash with Aston Villa.
Bruce has been criticised for Newcastle's risk-averse approach against teams around them in the relegation fight and there are fears the Magpies could set up in a similar way against an Aston Villa side, who are without star player Jack Grealish.
Newcastle have won just two of their last 18 matches heading into the visit of Dean Smith's Villans side and begin the weekend just one point clear of the Premier League's relegation zone.
Many feel this evening's game is a 'must-win' clash for the Magpies but Lawrenson is backing a 1-1 draw, raising questions about how Bruce's side will approach the visit of Villa.
"Aston Villa are still missing Jack Grealish but Newcastle are worse off injury-wise, and are going to be without Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron until the start of April, after the international break," Lawrenson told BBC Sport.
"Both of these sides drew last time out, Villa against Wolves and Newcastle at West Brom - which was not exactly a thriller.
"I have a feeling this game will be cagey too. The Magpies need the points more, but I think they will still focus on making themselves difficult to beat rather than going all-out for a win."
