Newcastle United v Manchester United, St James' Park

Everytime Sir Alex comes to Tyneside, he will remember the day when his side were humiliated 5-0, with Phillipe Albert's glorious chipped fifth goal still one of my favourites of all time, leaving aside any club allegiance.

That scoreline is less likely this evening, with the red United looking to extend their lead over Arsenal at the top of the table. Their recent form at St James' Park should fill them with confidence - they have not lost in Toon since September 2001.

That fixture, a 4-3 win for Newcastle in which the hosts had been pegged back after taking a 3-1 lead before scoring a late winner. and which featured the infamous clash between Roy Keane and Alan Shearer.

The following season at Gallowgate, the Magpies again took the lead, only to lose 6-2.

The last encounter at SJP was a 2-1 victory for the visitors (photo below, in the moments before kick off), although, again, Newcastle took the lead, this time through Peter Lovenkrands.

The reverse fixture this season was the opening game of the season, and NUFC was outclassed 3-0, without ever looking like threatening Edwin van der Sar's goal.

But Newcastle have not been shy in front of goal this campaign, particularly at home. The Toon have scored 36 times at home this season, second only to tonight's visitors.

Sir Alex's team has scored the third highest number of away goals this season, and their away form is by no means as imposing as is their record at home. They have picked up 46 out of a possible 48 points at home, while their away record is 23 points from a maximum of 48.

Newcastle's equivalent record is 21/48 at home and 18/48 away, showing that a). Man Utd are much better at home than they are away, and b). Newcastle's away record is not far behind the Red Devils'.

The Toon Army is fairly positive about their side's chances tonight. Paul Scholes is suspended for the visitors, and Fletcher is ill, although Newcastle miss a host of players too, including Kevin Nolan (also suspended). Stephen Ireland is set to play some part, and needs to prove that Alan Pardew should keep him on Tyneside.

Prediction: If past encounters are anything to go by, this should be a cracker. I'm going to be (relatively) bold and go for Newcastle United 2-2 Manchester United.