The last time Stoke came away with all three points at St. James' Park was in September 2010 - a time when Newcastle were re-adjusting to life back in the Premier League. A first half penalty from Kevin Nolan put Newcastle ahead but Stoke's two goals in the second half from former Sunderland striker, Kenwyne Jones and a late James Perch own goal gave Stoke their fourth win at St. James' Park in all competitions.
In this fixture more recently however, Alan Pardew experienced one of his biggest wins as Newcastle manager on Boxing Day in 2013. An interesting first half saw Stoke take the lead but then have two men sent off followed by a missed penalty from loanee, Loic Remy who then scored less than a minute after the spot kick was taken. Newcastle made the most of the two-man advantage by running riot in the second half. Yoan Gouffran scored to make it five consecutive home games with a goal to his name. Remy added his second soon after. Yohan Cabaye scored what became his last goal at St. James' Park and the number nine, Papiss Cisse converted Newcastle's second penalty of the game.
Facts and Figures
All Competitions
Newcastle wins: 43
Stoke wins: 27
Draws: 21
Top Flight
Newcastle wins: 32
Stoke wins: 23
Draws: 19
Premier League at St James' Park
Draws: 3
Newcastle wins: 3
Stoke wins: 1
Previous ten (all competitions)
Newcastle wins: 4 (15 goals)
Stoke wins: 4 (9 goals)
Draws: 2
Biggest wins (in this fixture)
Newcastle United 6 - 0 Stoke (18/08/1951)
The two league encounters between the two teams in the 1951/52 season where special matches. A thrashing at the start of the season remains Newcastle's biggest win at home to the Potters. Later in the season, the reverse fixture was also won by the Magpies but in spectacular style. The final scoreline was 5-4, the kind of match that's always an unmissable watch.
However it was the following season when Stoke, on their 18th visit to St. James' Park, finally won their first match on Tyneside. Stoke fans would end up having to wait until January 1971 for that second win.
Biggest defeat (in this fixture)
Newcastle United 0 - 2 Stoke (09/01/1971)
Going by history in this fixture, it appears the Magpies have the advantage with Stoke having only won four times on their 46 trips to Tyneside. It seems that both teams will be going into Saturday's match on a high with the two sides having had good moments already this season. We have just had back to back wins and will look to build on that with this match being our first home game since the 3-0 win against West Ham three weeks ago.
Stoke, though, will be on a high after breaking Man United's 100% record last weekend thanks to a double from new signing, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Considering that Stoke are a typical mid-table side, they do have good players in there armoury. Jese has already hit the ground running after scoring the winning goal against Arsenal recently. Jack Butland, in my view, is England's best goalkeeper and can be unbeatable on his day. Finally, their main man is Xherdan Shaqiri who has won Stoke many points since his arrival two years ago. I think that our best chance of victory would depend on keeping Shaqiri as quiet as possible throughout the game - which will have been a game plan for Stoke's opponents in the past year.