Jonathan Pearce
BBC Match of the Day commentator at St James' Park

I can't remember St James' Park being so quiet for such a prolonged period of time. At the moment the game is lacking any intensity.

A chance for Newcastle as they counter after Swansea lose possession. Dwight Gayle leads the charge and he plays it square for Ayoze Perez.

The Spanish striker makes a good connection with his shot, but it is straight at Lukasz Fabianski. Newcastle have been the better team, but have not done anything with their chances so far.

A first half-chance for the visitors. Martin Olsson gets free down the left flank and sends it in towards Oliver McBurnie. But the ball is just behind the big striker and he can only flick it at goal, and flick it well over the top.

Kyle Bartley, on a yellow card, is already having a horrible time in the Swansea backline as Ayoze Perez runs at his him, twists him inside and out and gets to the byeline.

The cross finds Dwight Gayle free, centre of goal and about 10 yards out but his header is off target when he should have at least tested Lukasz Fabianski. A good chance wasted.

Only nine minutes gone and we have our first yellow card. Swansea captain Kyle Bartley, making his first league start since August, is cautioned for pulling back Dwight Gayle.

Mohamed Diame gets free 25 yards out and tries his luck at goal. He should not have bothered as it goes well wide.

Mohamed Diame chips over the top and into the penalty area, but Swansea's Alfie Mawson is well placed to calmly head away the danger. The England Under-21 international also mops up again seconds later from another Newcastle ball into the area. Solid defending. Decent start this from the hosts.

Nathan Dyer looks to be free down the right wing for Swansea, but he takes a heavy touch as the ball bounces off his knee and goes behind for a goal-kick.

Early chance for Newcastle, as Paul Dummett is free on the left, he swings over a cross, which Dwight Gayle gets on the end of it but the header is too close to Lukasz Fabianski and the keeper catches it comfortably.

Image source, PA

Jonjo Shelvey's corner from the left comes to nothing as Oliver McBurnie - preferred in front of Wilfried Bony in the Swansea team - clears the danger at the near post.

A first-minute corner for Newcastle after Ayoze Perez runs at the away defence.

And here we go. Swansea have had a pre-match huddle. Will it do them any good? It hasn't so far this season. Swansea start us off.

Image source, .

There will be some nervous energy at Newcastle today. A home defeat will cast major doubt over their credentials while an away defeat will leave Swansea even further adrift at the bottom.

Tension.

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on Final Score

Alfie Mawson has got huge potential, and I can't believe that he'd be allowed to leave in this transfer window. He's a decent player, but he's not very mobile at the moment, so he still has some developing to do.

But saying that Swansea have really struggled this season, and he's been a very important player for them, it would be a disaster for them to lose him to be honest.

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert

Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez is still trying to bring players in - but might have to face up to the fact that this is going to be a frustrating month for him and just get on with things.

Even if they don't sign anyone, I would still give the Magpies more hope of staying up than Swansea.

Swansea also need new players but I don't know who they will be able to sign that could make a difference and, from the sounds of it, neither does their new manager Carlos Carvalhal.

If Rafa thinks he has it hard, then he should probably ask Carvalhal what he is thinking at the moment.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0

Each week Mark Lawrenson predicts the Premier League games and this week he takes on NBA stars Dario Saric of the Philadelphia 76ers and Aron Baynes of the Boston Celtics in the latest round of Premier League predictions.

Saric's prediction: 2-2

Baynes's prediction: Let's go Newcastle. I hope it's a cracker. 1-0.

Can you do any better? Take part in our predictor game and prove it.

Image source, Reuters

Swansea City manager Carlos Carvalhal on potential new signings: "The boat is on the sea - but the fish didn't bite the hook. There is nothing so far, but you never know when the boat is on the sea.

"It might not be possible for the team to play as I want after just a month, what is important is that we fight to win games."

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez said: "We have done well the last few weeks, but it is a long season, we have an important game and the mentality must stay the same.

"Carlos is a good manager with a good record against us, but hopefully we end that".

Image source, Getty Images

Jonathan Pearce
BBC Match of the Day commentator

Newcastle need the takeover to go through quickly. How can they hope to pull off January deals during such an unstable period, even though their survival hopes depend on new signings?

With only nine points separating the bottom 11 clubs, any side putting together a three-match winning run will leap towards safety. But Newcastle look so jittery at home. They haven't won there since October.

Swansea need a win. Carlos Carvalhal has lifted the club since arriving and they have a decent record at St James' Park. But they've netted just six goals in 12 league matches.

I can see both sides in a relegation battle for the rest of the season.

Image source, Getty Images

Jermaine Jenas
Former Newcastle midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

I don’t think there's been a time in the Premier League era when people look forward to going to St James' Park more than they do now. This is not a top team. If they remain in the Premier League it’s a miracle. If Benitez wasn't there, I think they’d 100% go down.

It might not help Newcastle the fact they have to win this game, they just have to. The fans are not going to be what they were when Newcastle were at their pomp.

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Swansea City manager Carlos Carvalhal says he is under no pressure to sell centre-half Alfie Mawson, who starts today, despite speculation linking him with a move to either West Ham United or Watford.

"When I signed it was very clear we are trying to bring in players to improve the team and we will not sell the best players in January," Carvalhal said.

Swansea have already started new contract talks with Mawson, who joined for £5m from Barnsley in August 2016. But although Carvalhal is determined to hold on to the defender, he is realistic that every player has their asking price.

"Guarantees can change all the time. If someone gives £50m or £150m or £260m of course its completely different... we never can say that will not happen," added Carvalhal. "But the fundamental idea is not to sell the players and try to improve the team. "When I came to the club the idea was not to sell the best players. The message was very clear."

Image source, Getty Images