DID YOU KNOW?
* Newcastle have only lost once to Birmingham City in 11 meetings in the Premier League.
* Cheik Tiote has received more yellow cards than any other player in the league this season with 13.
* Alan Pardew's men have used the offside trap more effectively than any other side in the top flight, catching 132 players offside this season.
* The Magpies have the fourth worst home record in the division. Only West Ham United, Wigan Athletic and Blackpool have amassed fewer points at home than the 22 picked up by the Tyneside club.
* Only Manchester United (43) have scored more goals than Newcastle (36) at home this season.
* Birmingham have gone five games without an away win in the Premier League.
* Alex McLeish's side have not managed more than two goals in any of their last 58 league games.
* The Blues have had only 113 shots on target this season. It is the fewest by any team in the top-flight.
* Birmingham have won just three of their previous 13 Premier League matches in the month of May.
* Cameron Jerome (pictured right) has failed to find the net in 22 league games, and his last goal came against Stoke City back in November.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Newcastle United (4-4-2)
Krul; Simpson, Taylor, Coloccini, Enrique; Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez; Ameobi, Lovenkrands.
Newcastle were dealt a blow on Thursday when Mike Williamson was ruled out for the rest of the season, so Steven Taylor will come into the side for him and partner Fabricio Coloccini at the back.
The Magpies will be without long-term injury victims Hatem Ben Arfa, Dan Gosling, Alan Smith and Leon Best for the visit of the Blues. Tim Krul is expected to continue in goal as he keeps Steve Harper out of the side.
Birmingham City (4-4-2)
Foster; Carr, Jiranek , Johnson, Ridgewell; Larsson, Bowyer, Ferguson, Fahey; Jerome, Phillips.
Birmingham will be without top scorer Craig Gardner, who was sent off against Wolverhampton Wanderers last week. He will likely be replaced in midfield by Irishman Keith Fahey.
Kevin Phillips will retain his place up front alongside Cameron Jerome, with Nikola Zigic in reserve. Apart from that, expect no other changes from manager Alex McLeish, who will rely on his experienced players to drag the Blues away from the relegation zone.
Prediction
Newcastle are more or less secured survival, so they will be heading into this fixture without the pressure of a relegation scrap weighing on their minds.
Their home form has been a slightly hit and miss, but when they turn it on they can beat anyone on their turf.
Birmingham have struggled on their travels and need to find the net if they are going to get over the 40 point mark. But the Magpies should have enough to beat the Blues in this fixture, and make a few people twitch uncomfortably in the Midlands.
Their home form has been a slightly hit and miss, but when they turn it on they can beat anyone on their turf.
Birmingham have struggled on their travels and need to find the net if they are going to get over the 40 point mark. But the Magpies should have enough to beat the Blues in this fixture, and make a few people twitch uncomfortably in the Midlands.
Newcastle 2-1 Birmingham 
