Anzi Makhachkala v Newcastle United - Official Match Day / Build Up Thread

Hatem Ben Arfa makes his first Newcastle United appearance since early December as the Magpies travel to Anzhi Makhachkala in the first leg of their Europa League Round of 16 tie on Thursday (5pm kick-off GMT).

The French international forward has been sidelined for the past 12 weeks with a hamstring complaint, but starts at the Luzhniki Stadium, in Moscow, in a strong United line-up.

Ben Arfa's inclusion is one of seven changes from Saturday's Premier League defeat at Swansea City, with the only survivors from that match in South Wales being goalkeeper Rob Elliot, centre-back Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, and midfielders Yohan Cabaye and Moussa Sissoko.

Newcastle are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Elliot protected by a back four of Danny Simpson, James Perch, Yanga-Mbiwa and Massadio Haidara,

Stand-in captain Cabaye will anchor the midfield alongside former Ajax man Vurnon Anita, allowing the creative trio of Sylvain Marveaux, Sissoko and Gabriel Obertan to feed lone front man Ben Arfa.

On the substitutes' bench there is a place for 18-year-old striker Adam Campbell, who became the Magpies' youngest European debutant when he featured against Atromitos in the qualifying round in July.

There is also experience in the shape of Steven Taylor, Cheick Tiote and Shola Ameobi.

Anzhi name former Portsmouth, Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Lassana Diarra and ex-Chelsea wide man Yuri Zhirkov in their starting line-up. They are also captained by former Barcelona and Inter Milan front man Samuel Eto'o.

 

Nervous about Ben Arfa making is comeback on this pitch which it has been decided is too dangerous to risk Ameobi and Gutierrez on. Very excited about seeing him playing again though!

 

- is it because it's too dangerous or because the surface doesn't suit their style of play ?

 

Also worried about Benni being alone up front chasing long balls and being bumped around by defenders. Not his natural role. I have a bad feeling about this.

 

Quite a line up for Anzhi, hope we're up for it, good to see Guus Hiddink, always liked him.

 

Jonas has an injury and Shola has been advised not to play on artificial surfaces due to his hip problems.

 

- ah fair play, I thought I read also that the surface suits the more technically gifted player, which is certainly HBA over either of those two !

 

That too! . Just hope he gets the ball to his feet. With Cabs, Anita, Marv & Sissoko, he might have a chance.

 

there are definitely goals in the team, even without a striker. i'd fancy Cabaye, HBA or Sissoko to score more than Cisse, given the latters current form

 

0-4 already... I bet you're glad you're not watching this ACS!

 

But we're away, so that scoreline would be amazing!

 

The presenter on the Panel on ITV4 is weird, he seems to be trying to kill time, rather than create interest in the game about to be played.

 

Eto completes his second hattrick of the game... Why did Pardew start himself in goal?

 

To allow Elliot to play up front and sore 7. Get in!

 

He is looking much better in that free-roaming/CF role!

I wish he'd named 11 players, this would be a lot more comfortable if he didn't mistakenly think it was a 5-a-side!

 

Loving that Afro on Willian.

 

It makes him 7ft 4ins

 

Just me or does anyone else smile like a kid whenever the commentator says "Shatov on the ball"?

 

Somebody needs to grow up I think!



Hehehe! He said it again!

 

Shatov again!