Newcastle face a crucial Premier League game at home to Wigan this evening.

Last season’s surprise package are struggling in this campaign, after going through a loss of form and an injury-crisis.

The Magpies have suffered four straight defeats and have won just one of their last nine top flight clashes.

The poor run of form leaves Alan Pardew’s men just two points outside the relegation zone in 14^th place. It’s a run of form that hardly anybody would have predicted, but the North East outfit must stop that slide with a victory over Wigan.

Inconsistent

Wigan have been really inconsistent this season, but are only behind the Magpies on goal difference in the Premier League table. The Latics have been poor on their travels this season. However they will be given hope by the fact Newcastle have lost their last two games on home turf.

Injuries

Newcastle have had some terrible luck with injuries in the last few months. The home side will be without key players Steven Taylor, Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa for the clash with the Latics. The lack of strength in-depth at Newcastle has been horribly exposed in recent weeks.

The aforementioned players were three of the key players in Newcastle’s fifth place finish last season. It’s a major blow to lose the trio.

Vital

It may be early in the season, but this really is a must-win game for Alan Pardew and his team. The result of tonight’s clash could dictate whether the Magpies are set for a relegation battle or challenging in the top half of the table.

Alan Pardew has a lot of work to do to convince the fans that last season wasn’t a fluke. He can only do that by his team winning games and that must tonight.

Are the Magpies in a relegation battle?