West Bromwich Albion will look to record their first win on the road since October, when they visit St. James' Park on Saturday to face struggling Newcastle United in the Premier League.
Tony Pulis' men have struggled on their travels this term and last won away from the West Midlands, almost three months ago at Carrow Road.
Points hard to come by for Baggies
Whilst it is true that The Baggies have earned more draws than losses, the statistic has not aided their faltering progress this season.
Creditable 2-2 draws at Anfield and Stamford Bridge would underline that, but heavy defeat to Southampton at St. Mary's and loss at the now penetrable Old Trafford have rather overshadowed West Brom's progress under Pulis.
The last six games home and away rather encapsulate that in a nutshell; winning two, drawing three, and losing one.
Magpies facing relegation battle
The opportunity therefore, is there for West Brom to capitalise versus a hugely unpredictable Newcastle side. December looked to be a turning point for The Magpies, winning two on the bounce at home to Liverpool and impressively at White Hart Lane versus Tottenham Hotspur.
Boxing Day however, signalled a return to uncertain times. After defeat to Everton in front of The Gallowgate, Steve McClaren's side lost the reverse fixture at The Hawthorns aswell as at Arsenal and Watford. A creditable 3-3 draw with Manchester United was followed by a win versus West Ham United, however two more defeats then followed in succession.
Versus a West Brom side who are likely to sit back and hit on the break, Newcastle may be in for more frustration on Saturday.
Pulis will look to avoid defeat
The Baggies curently sit in fourteenth spot - still level on points with Guus Hiddink's Chelsea. Their opponent are eight points adrift in the drop zone, but a win for the Tynesiders would significantly close the gap.
It will likely be Pulis' aim to once again to hold out for a draw, with the potential of a smash-and-grab winner. The visitors will hope Salomon Rondon's stoppage time equaliser versus Swansea City - on Tuesday evening - will be a springboard for the Venezuelan, although the forward's chances are likely to be limited.
A win for West Brom would almost certainly banish any notions of a relagation dogfight.
Team news
Newcastle are once again plagued by injuries.
Midfielder Jack Colback and Vernon Anita are both missing with hamstring injuries, as is defender Paul Dummett, whose return date is unknown.
Defender Chancel Mbemba was forced off versus Everton in midweek with a foot injury and could now miss upwards of a month. Massadio Haidara is out until March.
Kevin Mbabu and Siem de Jong should pass fitness tests, but Gabriel Obertan and Tim Krul are long-term absentees.
Tony Pulis will be without centre-back Jonny Evans until the end of the month with a hamstring problem.
Chris Brunt has once again been ruled out after failing to recover from a calf muscle strain.
Midfielders James Morrison and Callum McManaman are both out until next month.