Sources confirm Saturday's encounter at St James' Park represents a critical juncture for both clubs, albeit for vastly different reasons. The understanding is Newcastle view this as an opportunity to reignite their push for European qualification, while Burnley arrive desperate to arrest a slide that has left Scott Parker admitting he feels weak in his position.
Newcastle's late frustration
The Magpies will still be nursing wounds from Wednesday's 2-2 draw against Tottenham, a match that appeared destined for three points until Cristian Romero's extraordinary 95th-minute overhead kick salvaged a point for the visitors. Goals from Bruno Guimarães and Anthony Gordon's penalty had put Eddie Howe's men in control, only for familiar defensive fragilities to emerge at the death.
That dropped points followed an impressive 4-1 demolition of Everton at Bramley-Moore Dock, where Nick Woltemade and Malick Thiaw both found the net in what represented Newcastle's first Premier League away victory since April. The Magpies sit 12th with 19 points from 14 matches, having won five and lost five in a campaign that has lacked the consistency Howe craves.
St James' Park has provided sanctuary, with Newcastle unbeaten in their last seven home matches across all competitions and scoring at least twice in each of those outings. A demanding week continues with Bayer Leverkusen visiting in the Champions League on Wednesday before the Tyne-Wear derby at Sunderland next Sunday.
Burnley's alarming decline
The Clarets arrive on Tyneside in freefall. Wednesday's 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace extended their losing streak to five Premier League matches, with Parker's side failing to score in three consecutive home fixtures despite registering 11 shots against the Eagles.
Burnley occupy 19th position with just 10 points from 14 matches, now sitting four points adrift of safety. The understanding is Parker's position faces increasing scrutiny following a run that has yielded three goals scored and 11 conceded across those five defeats. The former Fulham and Bournemouth manager conceded after the Palace loss that he feels weak in his position as small margins continue to work against his side.
Away form offers little encouragement. Burnley have lost six of seven Premier League road trips this season, conceding a division-high 21 goals in the process. Only basement club Wolves have endured a worse away campaign among the division's current members.
Team news
Newcastle face a goalkeeping concern with Nick Pope sidelined through a groin injury sustained against Tottenham. Sources indicate the former Burnley stopper faces up to three weeks on the sidelines, with Aaron Ramsdale set to continue between the posts. Kieran Trippier (hamstring), Sven Botman (back), Will Osula (ankle) and Yoane Wissa (knee) remain unavailable, though the latter is nearing his much-anticipated return.
Burnley's defensive crisis deepens. Axel Tuanzebe faces several weeks out with an unspecified issue that puts his Africa Cup of Nations participation with DR Congo in doubt. Connor Roberts, Jordan Beyer and Zeki Amdouni also remain sidelined, forcing Hjalmar Ekdal to partner Maxime Esteve at centre-back.
Historical dominance
The head-to-head record heavily favours the hosts. Newcastle have won each of their last six Premier League meetings with the Clarets, scoring 14 goals across those encounters. Burnley have not celebrated a league victory at St James' Park since April 1976, when Peter Noble scored the only goal in a 1-0 triumph.
The visitors' last success on Tyneside came via penalty shootout in the EFL Cup second round in August 2021, though that scarcely offers encouragement given the contrasting trajectories of both clubs since. Burnley have conceded 28 goals this season, the second-worst defensive record in the division and 10 more than Newcastle.
Match details
Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00 UTC at St James' Park. Victory for Newcastle would move them into the top half, while defeat for Burnley could leave them five points adrift of safety depending on other results.
