Squad sheets: Newcastle United v Stoke City

Momentum is an overused word in football these days but, whatever name it goes by, a run of five successive victories has got everybody believing Alan Pardew's side can prise a top-four spot from one of London's big three. The possible return of the midfielder Cheick Tioté will help, and victory over Stoke would all but secure at least Europa League football for next season. Tony Pulis is well positioned to advise on whether that is a good or bad thing, as his Stoke side limp to the finish line following an exhaustive campaign. Paul Chronnell Venue St James' Park, Saturday 3pm Tickets £26-51 (0844 800 9900) Last season Newcastle 1 Stoke 2 Referee Andre Marriner This season's matches 18 Y 66, R 5, 3.94 cards per game Odds Newcastle 8-11 Stoke 9-2 Draw 14-5 Newcastle United Subs from Elliot, Harper, R Taylor, Perch, Guthrie, Abeid, Gosling, Shola Ameobi, Best, Obertan, Ferguson, Tavernier Doubtful Best (knee), Coloccini (hamstring), Guthrie (calf), Obertan (thigh), Tioté (hamstring) Injured Marveaux (groin, 28 Apr), Sammy Ameobi (knee, Aug), Lovenkrands (thigh, Aug), S Taylor (achilles, Aug), Vuckic (knee, unknown) Suspended None Form guide WWWWWL Disciplinary record Y58 R2 Leading scorer Ba 16 Stoke City Subs from Nash, Sorensen, Whitehead, Upson, Shotton, Jerome, Jones, Pennant, Fuller, Woodgate, Clarkson, Dawson Doubtful Pennant (illness) Injured Diao (knee, 6 May), Sidibe (knee, unknown) Suspended None Form guide DWLDDL Disciplinary record Y54 R2 Leading scorer Crouch 9 Match pointers • Newcastle have not won at home against Stoke in a league match since April 1990 when Bjorn Kristensen scored twice (Mickey Quinn got the other goal) for the hosts in a 3-0 victory • Stoke have the worst tackle success rate (70%) in the top flight this season • Papiss Cissé currently has the best minutes to goals ratio (68.4) of any player in Premier League history to have scored 10 times or more • If selected, Kenwyne Jones will be making his 150th Premier League appearance • Jonás Gutiérrez has won more free-kicks (72) than any other player in the division