Newcastle United will play against Wigan Athletic tonight

After four successive defeats Newcastle United could do with an ego-repairing win at the start of a busy week, during which Alan Pardew's side also visit Bordeaux in the Europa League on Thursday. Wigan have never won a Premier League game at St James' Park but little has gone right for Pardew since he signed an eight-year contract in September. No Newcastle side have ever lost five successive Premier League fixtures but the visitors will hope to capitalise on the absence of Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye and Steven Taylor from an injury-hit home squad. Louise Taylor

Venue St James' Park, Monday 8pm

Last season Newcastle 1 Wigan 0

Referee M Jones

This season's matches 9 Y33, R0, 3.67 cards per game

Odds Newcastle 10-11 Wigan 14-5 Draw 5-2

Newcastle United

Subs from Elliot, Harper, Tavernier, Marveaux, Ferguson, Amalfitano, Abeid Bigirimana, Ranger, Shola Ameobi

Doubtful Shola Ameobi (groin) Injured Ben Arfa (hamstring, Dec 8), Cabaye (groin, Feb), S Taylor (hamstring, Feb) R Taylor (knee, Aug), Vuckic (knee, Aug), Gosling (knee, unknown), Obertan (toe, unknown) Suspended Perch (one match)

Wigan Athletic 

Subs from Pollitt, Caldwell, Boselli, McManaman, Golobart, Redmond, Orsula, Fyvie

Doubtful Caldwell (hamstring), Jones (calf)

Injured Maloney (groin, 3 Dec), Miyaichi (ankle, 3 Dec), McArthur (hip, 3 Dec), Crusat (knee, 3 Dec), Alcaraz (groin, 3 Dec), Watson (leg, Feb), Ramis (hamstring, unknown) Suspended None