On Saturday, Celtic travel to the other Newcastle in a six pointer. Newcastle are level on points, ahead of Celtic by one place on goal difference in sixth with 14 points. Kick-off is 3pm.

Newcastle’s first win this season was a home win over Celtic’s closest neighbours, Mossley, beating them 2-1 with a late winner. This came after two losses and a draw in the opening three matches. Since beating Mossley, they have won another three matches, and drawn one (at home to Trafford). Their most impressive win this season was away at Kidsgrove, halting Kidsgrove’s runaway train of results by beating them 2-1, again with a late goal last weekend.

Joint top league goal scorers are Tommy Van Der Laan and former Celtic striker, Dan Cockerline, both of whom have three. In total, six different scorers have found their way onto the league scorers chart. They have scored 13 goals, with two third of them away from home, with four home goals. Interestingly. Half of their goals have come right before half time and full time, with six goals scored just before the interval. Newcastle score at a rate of a goal per game at home and 1.4 per game overall. They have conceded three less goals than Celtic so far this season, with 10 split equally between home and away. They’ve failed to score twice at home and conceded in every home game. Much like Celtic, they are better away from home.

Newcastle finished 15th last season, escaping the drop zone by a point. A win over Trafford in their penultimate game leaving them watching other results on their final day, when Ramsbottom beat them 2-1. Not enough to save Ramsbottom, but a difficult game for Newcastle. This is our first visit to Newcastle in the last 40 years.

In Newcastle’s last match, the 2-1 away win over Kidsgrove, Newcastle lined up as:
1. Joseph Slinn
2. Jack Derbyshire
3. Oliver Ritchie
4. Tommy Van Der Laan
5. Joshua Jordan
6. Kyle Stubbs
7. Phoenix Lee
8. Isaac Graham
9. Daniel Cockerline
10. Daniel Edwards
11. Callum Speed

In Celtic’s last match, the 5-1 home loss to Leek Town, Celtic lined up as:
1. Luke Hewitson
2. Scott Wara
3. Jake Kenny
4. Brandon Newell
5. Connor O’Grady
6. Jai Curran-Nicholls
7. Aaron Dwyer
8. Michael Brewster
9. Matty Bryan
10. Max Leonard
11. Jordan Burton

Connor O’Grady will be unavailable for the match against Newcastle, after his red card on Saturday against Leek. However, Jack Tinning may be available. If results go Celtic’s way on Saturday, second place is achievable, depending on how Prescot do away at Chasetown, Clitheroe away at Witton, Avro at home to Widnes and Mossley at home to Bootle. In a twist of fixtures, three teams are within three points of Celtic, Widnes Chasetown and Witton, should results go against Celtic.