Newcastle United play host to Norwich at St. James' Park on Tuesday in a game which could prove crucial to both teams' promotion aspirations this season.

Leaders Norwich visit the North East in scintillating form, having won their last 5 games in a row in all competitions, and Alex Neil's Canaries are unbeaten in September.

Newcastle, on the other hand, have suffered a slight dip in form, with a draw and a defeat in their last two.

However, Rafa Benitez will be relatively happy with their start, they sit in 5th which, given the weight of expectation on them this season, is an acceptable start to the season.

Here are THREE reasons why Norwich will come out on top in this tight encounter......

 

The Canaries' unstoppable run

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The run that Norwich have put together has seen them rise to the top of the pile with 20 points from their first 9 games.

This form will instil confidence into what is a tight knit unit, and they will have the utmost belief that they can return to East Anglia with all three points come Tuesday.

Granted they can be a little unpredictable away from home, but having won at places such as Old Trafford last season, and Everton in the EFL Cup only earlier this month, they have nothing to be fearful of.

Newcastle's slight stutter

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Whilst they are in a very good position, Newcastle have suffered a slight blip by their standards, losing 2-0 at home to Wolves, and most recently, drawing 1-1 at Aston Villa.

The latter is a creditable result, it must be noted, but it is the manner in which they wasted chances and the fact that they were not able to hold off a late Villa surge that will be their undoing.

There will be added pressure in front of a large crowd, who will be expectant, and that may play into Norwich's hands on the counter attack.

 

The form of Jacob Murphy

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Jacob Murphy has been a revelation this season for Norwich, and could well prove to be the difference between the sides on Tuesday.

Having been on loan at Coventry in League 1 last season, where he scored 9 goals in 40 appearances, he seems to have upped his game and is taking the Championship by storm.

He has scored 4 goals in 5 games, and his pace on the counter attack that Norwich may employ, will be lethal and key to Norwich's hopes of continuing their brilliant form.

Norwich and Newcastle fans... Who will come out on top on Tuesday? Let us know in the comments below!