Newcastle V Hull Barclays Premier League Match 21 -September 2013. Newcastle are without Steven Taylor, who damaged a hamstring in training.
Shola Ameobi is out with an injury picked up on international duty with Nigeria, while Jonas Gutierrez remains out with a hamstring problem.Watch Newcastle V Hull Live, Watch Newcastle V Hull Live Stream, Watch Newcastle V Hull Free Live Stream, Watch Newcastle V Hull Online, Watch Newcastle V Hull Online Free, Newcastle V Hull Live, Newcastle V Hull live stream Online.
Hull captain Robert Koren has broken a bone in his right foot and faces up to eight weeks out, while Maynor Figueroa has been granted compassionate leave.
Paul McShane is out with a hamstring injury, but striker Yannick Sagbo returns from suspension.
MATCH PREVIEW
As a boy, Danny Graham was a Magpies fan, but his association with Sunderland - and he played in their 3-0 win at Newcastle in April - means he won't be receiving a hometown welcome at St James' Park.
The Hull striker has not scored in any game since January. If he takes part in this one it will be his 22nd outing since last finding the back of the net. Steve Bruce must decided whether to stick with him up front or to pick Yannick Sagbo, who is available again after suspension.
Bruce admits to crawling under the turnstiles to support Newcastle as a boy. Like Graham, the Hull boss also knows what it feels like to be booed by the supporters he used to be among.
The Gallowgate End doesn't take kindly to former Sunderland players or managers, and Bruce can surely still hear the jeers ringing in his ears after his old side was famously on the receiving end of a 5-1 thumping in a Tyne-Wear Derby in 2010. He claims the 48 hours that followed that defeat were the most difficult he has had to face in football.
After a worrying start, Newcastle's early-season form has turned around nicely. The impressive form of Hatem Ben Arfa has papered over many cracks. Picking the ball up deep around the half-way line and thrusting forward, Ben Arfa has been combining the roles of playmaker, flying winger and goalscorer.
It's imperative for Newcastle that those goals keep coming, and not fade once the firm pitches of August and September turn softer. Last season Ben Arfa scored twice in his first three games, but then only found the net twice more to the end of the campaign.
Newcastle won only twice on their league travels last year, and that sort of record adds a huge importance to getting things right at home.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Newcastle and Hull have only met twice in the Premier League. They drew 1-1 at Hull in March 2009, while Hull won 2-1 at Newcastle in September 2008.
The highest-scoring match between the two clubs was in their first-ever league meeting, on Christmas Day in 1934, when Newcastle won 6-2 in the old Division Two.
Newcastle United
Newcastle haven't won three Premier League games in succession since a spell of six on the spin in March-April 2012.
The Magpies have kept clean sheets in their last two Premier League home games, but have also scored just one goal in their last five Premier League games at St James' Park.
Hatem Ben Arfa has registered more attempts from open play than any other Premier League player this season (13).
Cheik Tiote has picked up only one yellow card in his last nine Premier League appearances after collecting 31 yellows and one red in his previous 67 appearances.
The Ameobi brothers (Shola and Sammy) are yet to record a shot on target this season in 206 minutes of play.
Hull City
Hull have won only one of their last 11 games in the Premier League, drawing four and losing six.
The Tigers' last five Premier League fixtures have produced just seven goals.
Danny Graham has now gone 20 Premier League appearances without scoring, with his last top-flight goal coming on 1 January 2013.