No Dwight Gayle for United but he did not play in that cup rout, when the Magpies rotated heavily, or in the reverse league fixture which Newcastle also won (2-1). We saw the Jekyll and Hyde side of United over the Easter holiday, they looked imperious against Leeds United on Friday despite not winning and on another day would have scored four, but were pretty awful on Monday at Ipswich. Rafael Benitez gave his squad two days off after that , but worked them especially hard late in the week, both on the training pitch and in the video room and spent a lot of time getting the players mentally right for tonight, explaining it thus: “We have to talk. “Everybody was disappointed and we spoke about everything we did wrong. “The first thing is to realise what we did wrong. “After it, we try to correct it on the training ground. “The main thing is not to make mistakes. “But then when you make them, you have to understand why. “You have to avoid them in the future and do things right as soon as possible.”

He went on to say he was confident of a good performance tonight and that he and the squad had enjoyed the luxury of a full seven days to prepare, which you rarely get in the Championship (United have played 21 midweek games in all comps) and is perhaps the hardest thing for relegated teams to adapt too and the second tier has been a steep learning curve for Rafa. His team have won 8 of 9 after a 7day + break, with an 18-4 goal difference.

I don't forsee any easing off from United this time if they take the lead and the visitors have negative memories of their last visit and this could turn similarly sour for them, on what should be a night of celebration for the hosting team.

1.25 units Newcastle United -1.5 goals 2.28 asian line/Sportmarket.

Good Luck.