Good afternoon and thank you for joining Sports Mole for live text commentary of the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Cardiff City at St James' Park.

With just two games left to play The Bluebirds stand on the verge of relegation and depending on how results around the country finish today, a return to the Championship could be confirmed for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side. If Sunderland win at Manchester United or Fulham beat Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium, then Cardiff will be relegated if they lose today. A draw would also send them down if the Black Cats were to win at Old Trafford.

NEWCASTLE XI: Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett, Sissoko, Anita, Tiote, Gouffran, Shola Ameobi, Remy

NEWCASTLE XI: Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett, Sissoko, Anita, Tiote, Gouffran, Shola Ameobi, Remy

CARDIFF XI: Marshall, Fabio, Caulker, Turner, John, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Kim, Mutch, Zaha, Campbell

NEWCASTLE SUBS: Elliot, Yanga-Mbiwa, Haidara, S.Taylor, Gosling, Armstrong, De Jong

CARDIFF SUBS: Lewis, Jones, Eikrem, Cowie, McNaughton, Berget, Bellamy

TEAM NEWS: Newcastle have been goal shy in recent weeks and will hope that today's front three of Yoan Gouffran, Shola Ameobi and Loic Remy can get on the scoresheet. There are starts for Vurnon Anita, Moussa Sissoko and Cheick Tiote in midfield, but there is no place in the squad yet again for Hatem Ben Arfa. As for Cardiff, Fraizer Campbell leads their attack with support out wide coming from Wilfried Zaha and Jordon Mutch.

The form of both teams coming into today's match has been poor to say the least. Newcastle's 3-0 defeat against Arsenal on Monday evening consigned them to a sixth straight loss. In that run of games they have conceded 16 goals whilst scoring only once. Meanwhile, Cardiff have won one of their last seven league games and suffered a huge blow in their battle to stay up last weekend when they were beaten 4-0 by relegation rivals Sunderland.

It has been a year to forget so far for Newcastle fans. At the beginning of 2014 they were only four points off a Champions League position and had claimed 33 points from their 19 league games. Four wins out of four last November, including back to back victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, had raised hopes of a top-four finish. A first league triumph at Old Trafford since 1972 against Manchester United followed, but they have enjoyed relatively little highs since.

Since the start of January, they have lost 12 of their 17 league games and have collected just 13 points out of a possible 51. Damaging home defeats against rivals Sunderland and Tottenham in February didn't help their cause, but since Alan Pardew's sending off for a headbutt on David Meyler during the 4-1 win against Hull City at the start of March, they have been in freefall. The manager returned to the touchline after serving his seven-match ban against Arsenal, but it remains to be seen whether he can help end their season on a high, with many fans calling for his dismissal.

In fact, the Newcastle fans are planning a walkout during today's match in protest over the club's management. It is set to take place in the 69th minute, which has been chosen as a reminder of the last time the Magpies won a major trophy - the 1969 Fairs Cup. Fans group spokesman Mark Jensen said: "It's the lack of ambition that has driven fans to think there must be some symbolic way to protest. It's a club that's falling apart."

Of course, it is not just Newcastle who have had their share of problems this season, with Cardiff sacking manager Malky Mackay at the end of December following a public row with owner Vincent Tan. Since Solskjaer was appointed as manager the club have won just three of their 17 games this year and have been leaking goals, with 17 conceded in their last six fixtures. Only Fulham (79) have conceded more goals than Cardiff (69) have this season.

Despite their poor form at the back, Cardiff's best player has arguably been their goalkeeper, David Marshall. The Scottish international has made 146 saves this this season, which is more than any other goalkeeper. Inspirational displays in wins against Norwich and Fulham highlight just how good he has been and he can consider himself unlucky not to be named in the PFA Team of the Year. He may have only kept seven clean sheets, but without him, Cardiff may already be down

It is easy to see why the Welsh side have struggled this season, with their form in front of goal amongst the worst in the league. They have found the back of the net just 31 times in their 35 games, with Fraizer Campbell leading the goalscoring charts with nine goals in all competitions. Jordon Mutch (7) and Steven Caulker (5) are the only other players to have scored more than three goals for the Bluebirds.

It is easy to see why the Welsh side have struggled this season, with their form in front of goal amongst the worst in the league. They have found the back of the net just 31 times in their 35 games, with Fraizer Campbell leading the goalscoring charts with nine goals in all competitions. Jordon Mutch (7) and Steven Caulker (5) are the only other players to have scored more than three goals for the Bluebirds.

Newcastle's record in front of goal has been poor since the turn of the year and they have scored 39 in the league this season, with on-loan Queens Park Rangers striker Loic Remy their highest scorer with 13. With the Frenchman unlikely to be back at the club next season, they will surely need to sign a new forward in the summer, with Papiss Cisse, Yoan Gouffran and Shola Ameobi all failing to find the net on a consistent basis

UPDATE: It has just finished in today's early Premier League match at Upton Park, where West Ham United have claimed a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur. Youness Kaboul was sent off for bringing Stewart Downing down in the 25th minute, with the midfielder clean through on goal. The Hammers quickly took advantage and scored two minutes later when Andy Carroll's header was deflected in off Harry Kane. They added a second before the break through Downing's free kick and held on to claim the victory that sees them reach the 40-point mark in the Premier League table.

Back to the build up of today's game at St James' Park, where Newcastle and Cardiff will meet for the third time this season. In the first encounter, two goals from Loic Remy helped Newcastle on their way to a 2-1 victory in a Premier League match at the Cardiff City Stadium. They were in action again at the start of January in the third round of the FA Cup. In what was Solskjaer's first game in charge, his Cardiff side came from behind to claim a 2-1 win away from home.

Alan Pardew has acknowledged that the Newcastle fans haven't been happy with the team's current situation, but has called on the St James' Park crowd to get behind them this afternoon. "I know the fans are unhappy and disappointed, particularly with myself. But we need the stadium in the best possible shape we can have it. The players need a lift. If we can show the same kind of character [as shown in the second half at Arsenal], we've got enough quality to win the game. The one thing I do know is that we're going to give it a good go, for sure."

Meanwhile, Cardiff manager Solskjaer believes that his side can beat the drop this season. "It's still possible. We could be out of the bottom three if we win this weekend, but we've got to give ourselves something to play for in the last game. That's not inconceivable, so we're still confident that we can put in a performance, but it's not in our hands anymore. We've got to the must-win stage now. In the short term, it is going to be a big mountain to climb. We have two games left and we need to win them both, and we need to have some help elsewhere."

PREDICTION: With so much at stake this afternoon, Cardiff must get something out of the match and will fancy their chances against a Newcastle side who are on a terrible run of form. Their defeat against Sunderland last weekend will have been a huge blow, but they can take confidence from good away results against West Bromwich Albion and Southampton. As for Newcastle, fans at St James' Park won't accept a seventh consecutive defeat and will be hoping their team can come up with a response. I think they will end that barren run, but I can see Solskjaer's men grabbing a point to go into next weekend's final day with a chance of escaping the drop, with a 1-1 draw how I see it finishing.

REFEREE: Martin Atkinson has been chosen as the man to officiate today's match.

Of course with so much going on in other matches around the country this afternoon, I will be sure to keep you up to date with the latest scores. Stoke City's home match against Fulham and Manchester United's clash against Sunderland will be crucial to the Bluebird's hopes of survival.

Both teams are out on the pitch and the action will be getting underway here in just a few moments.

KICKOFF! We are underway at St James' Park!

CHANCE! It's almost the perfect start for the home side. A cross from the right drops kindly to Remy who is unmarked at the back post, but he sees his shot blocked by Fabio and deflect just wide of the post.

Newcastle have started this game well and look keen to put on a show for their fans. They will be in no doubt that their performances recently haven't been up to standard, but look motivated this afternoon.

CHANCE! Having just spoken about Newcastle's good start, Cardiff should be ahead. Krul comes out to punch a cross from Fabio, but he he can only divert it to Campbell on the edge of the box. The striker then volleys the ball goalwards, but sees his effort drift narrowly wide of the post.

Newcastle have been given a good shooting chance from a free kick just outside the box, after Tiote is hauled down by Gunnarsson.

It's Dummett who steps up to take the free kick, but he hits his effort straight into the wall. That wasn't a great strike and I'm sure Remy will be taking over set piece duties on the next occasion.

Newcastle are seeing plenty of the possession and Tiote does well to win a corner on the far side. Remy then takes it short and receives the return pass, before drilling a low strike wide of the post.

Newcastle win another free kick which is slightly further out than their last strike and Dummett stands over it again. The result is exactly the same as his last effort, as he fails to get it over the wall.

CHANCE! The Magpies are definitely on top here and a wonderful team move ends with Debuchy driving into the box and seeing his powerful strike pushed behind by Marshall.

OFF THE BAR! Newcastle come within inches of taking the lead, as from the resulting corner, Debuchy's powerful header is tipped onto the crossbar by Marshall.

The goal has been coming for Newcastle and it's Ameobi who has scored it. Sissoko gets free down the right wing and delivers a wonderful cross to the back post which is headed in by an unmarked Ameobi. Marshall had no chance to save that and his side are in real trouble now.

OFF THE POST! Cardiff are clinging on at the moment and Sissoko comes close to extending the home side's lead with a low strike from outside the box that takes a deflection and comes crashing off the foot of the post.

I wonder if the fans at St James' Park will still walk out of the match in the 69th minute if they continue to play as well as they have done so far. It has been a much improved display, with some fantastic football being shown by Pardew's men.

Almost a glimmer of a chance for Cardiff. The ball is delivered to the front post and Kim ahead of his man, before poking a strike wide. He feels that it came off a Newcastle man, but a goal kick has been given.

CHANCE! Cardiff are so close to drawing level, thanks to some wonderful play by Zaha. The winger does brilliantly to get into the box and works himself some space, before seeing his low drive blocked by the foot of Krul.

UPDATE: Bad news for Cardiff fans. Sunderland have taken the lead at Old Trafford, which means that as things stand, they will be relegated today.

CHANCE! The visitors are seeing much more of the ball and come close again when Zaha gets free in behind the defence, before seeing his strike saved by the keeper.

OFF THE POST! Newcastle hit the woodwork for the third time this afternoon, as Sissoko's cross from the right takes a wicked deflection and cannons off the outside of the post.

Cardiff have looked much better in the past few minutes, with Zaha in particular looking influential. He has shown great pace to trouble the Newcastle defence and seems to be the Bluebird's best hope of getting back into this match.

The visitors have a chance from a free kick which is whipped into the box by Whittingham, but Caulker can only put his header wide of the far post.

UPDATE: We've had another goal from one of the games at the bottom of the table, and Stoke City have taken the lead over Fulham. As things stand, that result would relegated Cardiff and Fulham.

Whittingham's deliveries this afternoon have been fantastic and Cardiff are unlucky to see latest cross drift just wide of the far post.

Sissoko has looked one of Newcastle's best players this afternoon and he does well to work some room in the centre of the pitch, before seeing his low drive head wide of the post.

We are going to have two minutes of stoppage time at the end of the half.

The half time whistle blows, and as things stand, Cardiff are going to be relegated. Ameobi's headed goal has given Newcastle a 1-0 lead and they could have been further ahead but for a combination of Marshall and the woodwork.

Pardew will be delighted at how his side played in that first half, with Newcastle firmly in control. They have seen 63% of the possession and have had 13 attempts on target to their opponents' five efforts. He will be hoping that they aren't made to pay for their missed changes, as Cardiff have shown signs they are capable of getting a goal back.

If Cardiff are to get back into this match, then you suspect Zaha could play a big part. He has looked his team's biggest threat, while Campbell has also proved he can cause the Newcastle defence some problems.

The players are back out on the pitch, and Craig Bellamy is going to replace Kim for the second half.

We are back underway at St James' Park.

Cardiff have started the half on the front foot and look positive as they search for a much-needed goal. Bellamy has looked lively and his side will be hoping his introduction can provide the difference.

Cardiff have started the half on the front foot and look positive as they search for a much-needed goal. Bellamy has looked lively and his side will be hoping his introduction can provide the difference.

The Newcastle fans are making their feelings clear and are chanting against the management and owners. It remains to be seen what will happen in the 69th minute and how many fans may leave the ground.

Campbell comes close to finding the net, as his cross from the right beats Krul and looks like it's going to nestle in the top corner, before drifting just wide of the post.

UPDATE: It's proving to be a day to forget for Fulham fans, as they are now two goals down against Stoke, thanks to Marko Arnautovic's goal.

CHANCE! It's almost two for Newcastle, as Marshall is left rooted to the spot when Williamson's long range effort take a deflection and goes just wide of the post.

Zaha continues to look the best Cardiff player on the pitch and he tricks his way past two defenders in the box, before seeing a shot blocked for a corner. They are unable to make the set piece count though, as Newcastle clear with ease.

Fans are stating to leave the ground and we could be seeing plenty more walk out in just a few minutes time. The uncertainty around what will happen may be playing on the two team's minds, with the game relatively flat at the moment.

A free kick from Cardiff is cleared away by Newcastle to Mutch around 25 yards out from goal, but his first time volley isn't the best and heads well wide.

The visitors are seeing a lot of the ball at the moment, but just can't get in behind the Newcastle defence. It is a strange atmosphere around the ground at the moment, with everyone looking around to see what will happen in just two minutes time.

YELLOW CARD! Debuchy is the first player booked this afternoon for a foul on Zaha.

The game has finally reached the 69 minute mark and there are plenty of fans getting up and starting to leave the ground. It is not as much as we expected beforehand, but enough to show their disdain for the way things are going at the club.

SUBSTITUTION: Newcastle make their first chance of the match by bringing on Gosling for Gouffran.

UPDATE: It looks like it is all over for Fulham, as they are now 3-0 down against Stoke.

SUBSTITUTION: Cardiff make their second switch of the afternoon, as Jones replaces Campbell.

CHANCE! So close for Cardiff! Zaha whips in a cross from the right and it is headed back to Jones, who sees his close-range effort saved by Krul.

CHANCE! How have Cardiff not scored? Krul comes out and spills the ball into the path of Gunnarsson, who then sees his shot blocked on the line by Coloccini.

CHANCE! How have Cardiff not scored? Krul comes out and spills the ball into the path of Gunnarsson, who then sees his shot blocked on the line by Coloccini.

CHANCE! Having nearly equalised, Cardiff allow Remy to break free and latch onto a long ball down the left. He comes inside and looks to bend a strike into the corner, but sees his effort blocked and deflect just wide.

UPDATE: It is 4-1 now in Stoke's clash against Fulham. Richardson's goal gave the Cottagers hope of a late fightback, but Walters quickly scored for the hosts to leave them just minutes away from relegation.

Cardiff are still pushing for a goal, but you feel that their best chance of getting back into this game has gone. Had Jones or Gunnarsson managed to find the net they would go into the last few minutes with real hopes of avoiding the drop.

Bellamy does well to get down the left wing and works himself some space to cross. He delivers a good ball, but it is just out of the reach of Jones and heads wide of the far post.

SUBSTITUTION: Cardiff have made their final change of the match, with Eikrem coming on for Fabio.

It's surely all over for Cardiff now, as Remy puts Newcastle 2-0 up. Sissoko breaks free down the right, before cutting inside and drilling in a shot. It ends up taking a deflection and falls kindly to Remy at the back post to slot home with ease past Marshall.

Newcastle almost score a third goal, as Sissoko charges through the midfield, before unleashing a strike from the edge of the box that deflects wide.

We are going to have three minutes of stoppage time.

The hosts do get their third of the match, as Taylor bundles the ball in from close range after a corner was flicked on by Remy. It is a harsh scoreline on Cardiff, who have certainly played their part this afternoon.

CHANCE! Sissoko very nearly adds a fourth goal, as he bursts into the box before drilling in a strike that is well saved by Marshall. Remy was free in the middle and is furious that he wasn't picked out.

We have had confirmation from Old Trafford that Sunderland have beaten Manchester United, which means that Cardiff and Fulham will be playing in the Championship next season.

In the end, it was a cruel result on Cardiff who did not deserve to lose by such a big scoreline, but they were not clinical enough to get anything from the game. They certainly had their chances, but could not take them and will return to the Championship after just one season in the top flight.

As for Newcastle, they have ended a six-game losing run and finally gave their home fans something to cheer about. It was a strange match with protests and walkouts taking all the headlines, but they have finally made the news for the right reasons on the pitch.

That's all we've got time for here, after a fascinating day of football. Make sure you stay with us at Sports Mole for all of the results from today's matches. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. Goodbye!