Newcastle and Southampton meet in a vital relegation scrap at St James' Park on Saturday afternoon.
Rafael Benitez's side start the weekend in 16th, just one place and a single point above their opponents, and know that victory could prove invaluable to their cause.
And the Newcastle boss has told his players to approach each of their remaining nine games as cup finals as they attempt to secure their Premier League status.
He said: "Every game is important. This is the most important because it is the next one, but we have to keep going to the end. We will be trying to win, but we will be doing that until the last one. Every game is a final for us now."
Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino, who has played for and worked under Benitez, insists his players are well aware they are in a relegation scrap and believes they are up to the task of securing their survival.
He said: "It is difficult to talk to the fans and say we are getting better because since January the team lifted performances, but now we need results. That is the reality.
"As a manager I have to think about what to do. We need results but the consequence is what we do on the pitch."
Team news
Newcastle will make a late decision on the fitness of midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, who missed last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Liverpool with a knee problem, but is back in training and could be included.
Striker Islam Slimani is still working his way back from a thigh problem, while keeper Rob Elliot (thigh) and Jesus Gamez (ankle) are also out.
Southampton will still be without captain Steven Davis, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring problem and faces at least another week on the sidelines.
Defender Maya Yoshida (knee) and striker Charlie Austin (hamstring) remain on the casualty list.
Opta stats
- Newcastle are winless in their last seven Premier League meetings with Southampton (D3 L4), since a 4-2 win in February 2013.
- Saints have only failed to score in one of their last 19 Premier League games against Newcastle, netting in each of the last 12.
- Only Tottenham (5) are on a longer current unbeaten away run in the Premier League than Southampton (4 - W1 D3).
- No side has scored fewer home Premier League goals this season than Newcastle (12, level with Burnley).
- No side has conceded more headed goals in the Premier League this season than Southampton (11).
- Benitez hasn't beaten Southampton in a Premier League match since his first ever meeting with them (1-0 in December 2004), drawing two and losing three since.
Merson predicts
Newcastle came up against a better team in Liverpool the other day, but I think they'll be all right. You look at them and they've got players who, especially Jonjo Shelvey if he plays well, should make sure they're alright at home and they got a massive result against Manchester United the other week.
Southampton have got four away games on the trot, they're in the FA Cup against Wigan and when they're doing that Premier League teams will be playing football, if they win then they'll be in the semi-final when teams will be playing again.
They could be in a horrible position soon, if they don't get anything here. They'll be playing catch-up and will be in the bottom three. They're missing Charlie Austin, and they seem like a team who want to don't lose before they win.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (11/1 with SkyBet)