Newcastle United's new Head Coach Eddie Howe will be hoping its third time lucky for him in The Magpies dugout as he seeks the black and white's first win of the season and a crucial one in terms of three points against one of his former clubs, Burnley.

Although he is overwhelmingly associated with Bournemouth and the sterling work he did there to lift the South Coast club from League Two to The Premier League, Howe had an ill-fated stint in The Championship with The Clarets from Jan 2011 to Oct 2012 and he will be looking to get one over against a club he didn't quite prove himself at.

Its the second time Newcastle have faced Sean Dyche's Burnley in the 2021/2 campaign following a defeat on penalties in The Carabao Cup back in August after 90 minutes couldn't separate the sides in a 0-0 that Newcastle dominated but ultimate succumbed on spot kicks after Allan Saint-Maximin & Miguel Almiron missed their penalties.

Newcastle had enjoyed two wins last season against Burnley last season behind closed doors with Allan Saint-Maximin producing two virtuoso performances and grabbing the winner in both games, starting the match and lighting up St James' Park in a 3-1 win..

..while turning the game on its head as a second half substitute at Turf Moor to win what was a crucial three points heading into the final straight of the 2020/21 season:

Newcastle drew 1-1 midweek with Norwich on Tuesday after going down to 10 men early after Ciaran Clark committed a professional foul on Teemu Pukki with Saint-Maximin very well marked and noticeably, The Canaries scored their equalising goal after the French talisman had left the pitch as his man markers had more freedom to attack in his absence as the main outlet and direct dribbling threat in black and white.

Miguel Almiron, who has had a frustrating campaign largely watching on the bench or playing out of position in central midfield, replaced him on the night and the Paraguyan will be looking to establish himself back in the Newcastle side in his more favoured attacking positions higher up the pitch & Howe will surely use his pace sometime soon.

One big positive on Tuesday night for Newcastle was the club finally received a penalty kick after being denied big shouts for one against Arsenal and on several other occasions this season with VAR official Lee Mason having little choice but to ask referee Andy Madley to review Billy Gilmour's clear handball and award the spot-kick, which Callum Wilson duly dispatched.

Strangely, Lee Mason is again the VAR official in the Newcastle - Burnley match and The Magpies will again be hoping for some improved officiating especially after last season's game at Turf Moor when The Magpies somehow didn't receive a penalty kick when James Tarkowski kicked Sean Longstaff in the head in the penalty area:

 

Burnley have their own issues with referees with Sean Dyche regularly complaining about his side being denied penalties which Newcastle fans can relate to and The Clarets are one of four clubs now who have not received a spot-kick this season although haven't given any away either with Newcastle conceding a League high five.

Remarkably, Newcastle are still just six points from safety despite not winning in their opening 14 games although a win on Saturday is almost imperative as the following four fixtures are Leicester and Liverpool away followed by the visit of both Manchester clubs City and United in a nice Christmas present from The Premier League.

Burnley are just three points ahead of Newcastle in 18th place in the Premier League with Norwich also on 10 points separating the sides although The Clarets are unbeaten in five games having had last week's game against Spurs postponed by Storm Arwen but with just the one win against Brentford in The Premier League thanks to an inspired performance from summer signing Maxwell Cornet:

Cornet, an Ivory Coast international who was a £15M buy from Lyon in the summer, is Dyche's dangerman and the player The Magpies must watch closely after scoring five goals in his first eight games for his new club after making a habit of scoring against Man City in The Champions League and has adapted quickly to The Premier League.

Burnley drew 0-0 with Wolves at Molineux on Tuesday night and Dyche was typically upbeat about his side's chances at St James' Park, saying Eddie Howe's men will be playing with more 'energy and tempo' but despite Newcastle's winless start, insists

"no games are easy and we'll have to go there with a firm jaw and ready to play'"

Eddie Howe, in his press conference, reiterated how much he is loving the job and says Newcastle have a few "bumps and bruises" but is glad to welcome back Captain Jamaal Lascelles and Matt Ritchie following their suspensions for collecting five yellow cards and was taking the positives from Tuesday night's draw with 10 men against Norwich:

Again, Howe heaped praise on man of the moment and Man of the Match again against Norwich, Joelinton, who some fans are seeing as a man reborn in recent weeks:

and paid tribute to Federico Fernandez, who came in from the cold literally to put on a first class defensive display after Ciaran Clark was sent off on Tusday night:

All Newcastle fans will be praying for that first win although with each game the potentially transformative January window gets nearer and the new owners are ready to pounce according to the latest reports & do whatever it takes to keep The Magpies up.

Prediction - Newcastle 3 Burnley 1

Potential Line-Ups: