Newcastle may not be mathematically safe but the bookies have them at 500-1 to go down so their recent purple patch has sealed the deal on another season in the top flight. Eddie Howe will be targeting a top-half finish and what better team to notch up a fourth successive win against than Norwich. Dean Smith’s side showed tremendous fight in defeat against Manchester United last time out but arguably Newcastle will pose a much more difficult proposition. They are a team in sync compared to one carried solely on Cristiano Ronaldo’s shoulders. A Norwich win would close the gap to six points from the last safe spot with five games to play, until Burnley attempt to jump out of danger against Wolves on Sunday. Realistically Norwich’s only hope is to focus on themselves, though, and snatch a win at all costs. Graham Searles
Saturday 3pm
Venue Carrow Road
Last season n/a
Referee Chris Kavanagh
This season G13 Y53 R2 4.23 cards/game
Odds H 14-5 A 15-13 D 12-5
NORWICH
Subs from McGovern, Gunn, Tzolis, Gibbs, Rowe, Zimmermann, Placheta, Gilmour, Byram, Sørensen, Springett, Williams, Aarons
Doubtful None
Injured Sargent (ankle, 30 Apr), Idah (knee, unknown), Omobamidele (back, unknown), Kabak (hamstring, unknown), Rupp (knee, unknown)
Suspended None
Discipline Y48 R1
Form LLLDWL
Leading scorer Pukki 10
NEWCASTLE
Subs from Darlow, Fernandez, Lascelles, Dummett, Manquillo, Murphy, Longstaff, Willock, Ritchie, Gayle
Doubtful None
Injured Trippier (foot, 30 Apr), Wilson (calf, Apr), Fraser (thigh, May)
Suspended None
Discipline Y81 R2
Form LLLWWW
Leading scorer Wilson 6
