Under pressure Steve Bruce is in desperate need of a result with the Magpies currently 10 games without a win.
Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa also marked a run of eight matches without scoring as supporters call for the 60-year-old to resign.
Meanwhile, Marcelo Bielsa’s side return to the field following a nine-day absence after a postponed fixture against Southampton and a free FA Cup weekend.
It’s a huge game for both teams in the context of the bottom end of the top-flight table.
Ahead of tonight’s game, we’ve decided to create a ‘combined XI’ – as decided by popular statistics site WhoScored.com, who have given an average rating to each player thus far.
Indeed, that includes a couple of controversial choices as far Newcastle are concerned.
So, which of Bruce’s players feature? Scroll and click through our gallery to see how the starting XI shapes up:
5. Stuart Dallas - 6.86
Dallas has played most of the season at right-back but lining up at left-back is something he has done many times under Marcelo Bielsa. WhoScored rating: 6.86. Photo: Michael Regan
6. Kalvin Phillips - 7.06
Phillips is the man who makes it tick for Leeds in midfield. Like his teammate Cooper, his rating is only bettered by Bamford. WhoScored rating: 7.06. Photo: Alex Pantling
7. Jonjo Shelvey - 6.78
This may come as a surprise to Newcastle fans but according to WhoScored, he ranks ahead of the likes of Isaac Hayden and Matty Longstaff. WhoScored rating: 6.78. Photo: Catherine Ivill
8. Allan Saint-Maximin - 6.87
Newcastle have missed their ‘saviour’ (as put by Dwight Gayle) - ranking as the Magpies’ highest-rated outfield player this season. WhoScored rating: 6.87. Photo: ALEX PANTLING