Newcastle vs Ipswich: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

Newcastle require a return to winning ways on Saturday afternoon as they welcome an Ipswich Town side on the brink of relegation to St James' Park.

Anything but a victory for the Tractor Boys this weekend will condemn them to the second tier after they were thumped 4-0 by Arsenal last Sunday. Even if they claim an unlikely victory on Tyneside, a West Ham win at Brighton will also relegate Kieran McKenna's side.

It's been a baptism of fire for Ipswich upon their long-awaited return to the top-flight, and they're bound to feel Newcastle's wrath for a second time this season. Alexander Isak netted a hat-trick in the reverse fixture before Christmas, which the Magpies won 4-0.

Eddie Howe's men seemed to be steamrolling towards a top-five finish but they were stopped in their tracks by Aston Villa last weekend. Their 4-1 defeat was a harsh reality check, but the Magpies remain in a strong position in their bid to play Champions League football next season.

Newcastle are fifth in the table and two points clear of Chelsea in sixth. However, the Blues will climb above Howe's men should they beat Everton in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off.

Here is 90min's guide to Saturday's Premier League clash.

Newcastle vs Ipswich head-to-head record (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Newcastle vs Ipswich on TV - UK & US

Newcastle team news

Fabian Schar is a doubt due to a hamstring complaint / Stu Forster/GettyImages

The hosts have availability concerns at centre-back after Fabian Schar suffered a hamstring injury at Villa Park. While Jason Tindall suggested after Newcastle's defeat last week that the issue isn't serious, the Swiss defender is a doubt for Saturday's game.

With Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles also out of action, Emil Krafth could start alongside Dan Burn.

Lewis Hall is expected to be the only other absentee for the Magpies. The left-back won't play again this season due to the ankle injury he sustained at the start of March.

Newcastle predicted lineup vs Ipswich

Newcastle predicted lineup vs Ipswich (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Krafth, Burn, Livramento; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon.

Ipswich team news

Leif Davis was sent off against Arsenal last weekend / Julian Finney/GettyImages

Leif Davis is suspended for Saturday's game after he was sent off for a nasty challenge on Bukayo Saka last Sunday. With Conor Townsend likely to miss out through injury, there could be a rare Premier League start for January arrival Ben Godfrey at left-back.

Liam Delap should be back in the starting XI after appearing off the bench in Ipswich's previous two outings. The striker has been nursing an upper body injury.

Kalvin Phillips, Wes Burns, Sammie Szmodics and Omari Hutchinson are among the notable absentees for the visitors this weekend.

Ipswich predicted lineup vs Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Palmer; Tuanzebe, O'Shea, Greaves, Godfrey; Morsy, Cajuste; Johnson, Enciso, Clarke; Delap.

Newcastle vs Ipswich score prediction

While Ipswich should welcome Delap back into their starting XI against a weakened Newcastle defence, there's little hope of the McKenna's side claiming victory on Saturday.

Eddie Howe will be back on the sidelines for the hosts after recovering from illness, and his players, who've enjoyed a full week off, will be determined to put on a how in front of the Toon Army after they were blown away by Villa last week.

This should be a cruise for the hosts, who'll seal Ipswich's fate with a comfortable win.