The phrase ‘relegation six-pointer’ was coined for games such as this as Newcastle welcome Watford to St. James’ Park in the Premier League.
The two sides are separated by just two points at the foot of the table, with a Newcastle victory likely to move Eddie Howe’s side out of the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, Claudio Ranieri’s position as Hornets boss has come under increasing pressure after his side slumped to their seventh straight defeat last weekend at Leicester in the FA Cup.
Here’s everything you need to know about the game.
When is kick off? Saturday 15 January, 15:00 (GMT)
Where is it being played? St. James’ Park
What TV channel is it on? Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, BBC Final Score (UK), fuboTV (US)
Highlights? Sky Sports Football YouTube channel, BBC Match of the Day (UK)
Referee? Paul Tierney
VAR? Jarred Gillett
Wood has arrived from Burnley / Alex Livesey/GettyImages
The Magpies ramped up their January spending with the £20 million acquisition of Chris Wood from relegation rivals Burnley this week.
The New Zealand international could make his St. James’ Park bow this weekend as the replacement for the injured Callum Wilson, although Jamal Lewis, Federico Fernandez and Isaac Hayden are likely to miss out through injury.
Read Newcastle’s predicted lineup here
Dennis is likely to return for Watford / Alex Pantling/GettyImages
Only Leicester have a higher volume of absences heading into this weekend’s fixtures than Watford, with as many as eleven players a doubt for Ranieri’s side.
Emmanuel Dennis is likely to return for the Hornets after limping off against Tottenham earlier this month, but Africa Cup of Nations involvement will deprive Ranieri of William Troost-Ekong, Adam Masina and Imran Louza.
This weekend will also come too soon for Christian Kabasele, Kiko Femenia and Ben Foster, while Nicolas Nkoulou and Peter Etebo are long-term absentees.
Read Watford’s predicted lineup here
A second-half strike from Ismaila Sarr rescued a point for Watford against Newcastle at Vicarage Road earlier this season.
Indeed, the Hornets have won two out of their last five games against the Magpies, with both sides unable to be separated on the other three occasions.
Watford will be hoping for a similar outcome to their trip to the north east in the FA Cup in January 2019, when goals from Andre Gray and Isaac Success powered the Hornets to an away victory.
Newcastle got the better of Burnley at St. James’ Park / Ian MacNicol/GettyImages
St. James’ Park is likely to be rocking this weekend as the Toon Army crank up the volume for a crunch relegation six-pointer.
Newcastle have tasted victory just once this season, but it was against fellow relegation rivals Burnley at home.
Howe will be hoping for a repeat of that afternoon’s performance, and it could be the day where Newcastle’s survival bid comes to life.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-0 Watford
