Paul Merson has backed Newcastle to have some fun against Sheffield United on Saturday

One of Newcastle United's high points of the season was the 8-0 win over Sheffield United earlier in the season and with the Blades coming to St James' Park on Saturday the Toon Army are hoping to see something similar.

After Wednesday's dire performance against Crystal Palace, Newcastle fans will be hoping to a much better performance from the lads on their home turf tomorrow against a side doomed to relegation.

It would be too much to ask for a repeat of the away fixture, but a win of any description is very much needed to lift the mood after the Crystal Palace defeat.

If we could couple a win with a strong performance that would be ideal.

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Merse is expecting goals at St James' Park

Paul Merson is expecting a comfortable win for Newcastle, albeit not as comfortable as it was at Bramall Lane, but he's gone with a decent score in his prediction for Sportskeeda.

"Sheffield United have conceded four goals in each of their last two games and got well beaten by Manchester United despite putting up a fight.

"Newcastle were on the wrong end of a beating by Palace the other day, but they are a good team at home and should get all three points against the basement dwellers.

"Prediction: Newcastle 4-0 Sheffield United"

Newcastle can take advantage of Sheffield United's injury crisis

Sheffield United have a similar injury list to Newcastle so Chris Wilder's options are going to be severely limited with his team selection, which should be news to Newcastle's ears.

Anything to make the whole thing easier and thus facilitate a convincing win, we'll take.

However you look at it, this is a game we should be winning convincingly but we're reluctant to say that we will after what happened when we stated our confidence in the win on Wednesday night.