After pulling off an impressive goalless draw against Anzhi Makhachkala in the Europa League, Newcastle will be keen to get their English Premier League campaign back on track when they face Stoke City.
The Magpies disappointingly lost 1-0 to Swansea last weekend and another poor result could see them jump back into a relegation battle, something that Alan Pardew will be keen to avoid.
"It's an important week," Pardew said. "Obviously we've got Stoke at home and Wigan away, two teams who are in and around us, and a big Europa League game so it's a very important week. But we're in good form and looking forward to it.
"I think it would go a long way to securing our safety in the Premiership and relieve a little bit of pressure where we find ourselves. We've got a good side and between now and the end of the year I don't see a problem. But it would be nice to get a result on Sunday."
Stoke aren't on a great run though, having picked up just a solitary win in their last nine games, with Newcastle able to catch up with them with a victory at St James' Park Sunday.
"It's been a disappointing run, and when there is a disappointing run, supporters let you know," Stoke manager Tony Pulis told reporters.
"As we know from previous seasons at this level, it ebbs and flows. Before Christmas we went 10 matches unbeaten, now we've had one win in nine matches, but if you look back, we've had spells like this before in the Premier League.
"We have to believe in what we have been doing and make sure the players aren't affected by it. The important thing is putting the players out there in a positive frame of mind, so they can give their best. That's what we intend to do."
Newcastle will be without Fabricio Coloccini and Tim Krul, while Stoke are missing Michael Owen and Robert Huth.
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Expected lineups: Newcastle: Elliot; Debuchy, Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon; Tiote, Cabaye; Gouffran, Sissoko, Guttierez; Cisse.
Stoke: Begovic; Shotton, Shawcross, Wilson, Wilkinson; Walters, Whelan, Nzonzi, Kightly; Jerome, Crouch.
Prediction: 2-0 to Newcastle
