Newcastle have taken to the Championship like a duck to water with Rafa Benitez's side sitting comfortably at the top of the table. Much was made of the Magpies' controversial relegation last term but Benitez has ensured the club remains in a position to achieve promotion after an inconsistent start.

After a troublesome and somewhat frightening beginning - the Toon failed to win their first two games before the visit of Reading to St. James's Park in August - Newcastle's despair turned to delirium as a run of 11 wins in 13 games has catapulted them to the summit of the league and the last 16 of the EFL Cup.

Preston are presented with the task of bringing down the in-form Tynesiders, with Simon Grayson's side in a similar run of form. The Lancashire club have beaten Norwich, Huddersfield and Aston Villa in recent weeks despite their poor start to the campaign.

Even with both teams in good form, it's still Newcastle who remain clear favourites for the contest. Rafa Benitez is an expert in such situations, so with that in mind, here is our expected Newcastle XI to beat Preston.

GK: Karl Darlow

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Newcastle's Karl Darlow
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Karl Darlow has become one of the best young goalkeepers outside of the Premier League following his consistent performances for Newcastle in recent months.

Despite Newcastle's relegation, Darlow remained at the club with Benitez committing himself to securing promotion. He originally struggled to maintain a foothold in the Newcastle squad but is undeniably their best goalkeeper at present.

Darlow started the last two EFL Cup games so hes's expected to start for Newcastle against Preston.

RB: Vurnon Anita

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Bristol City's Callum O' Dowda in action with Newcastle United's Vurnon Anita.
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The consistent Anita may come in at right-back for Newcastle.

Preston will present no easy task for Newcastle, so a number of experienced players such as Anita will be expected to line up for the Toon.

CB: Grant Hanley

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Hanley made the move from Blackburn Rovers to the North East this summer as Newcastle aimed to secure promotion at the first attempt.

The Scotland international has not been ever-present for the Magpies with just four league appearances in 13 games. But Hanley has played in the previous two EFL Cup ties so his place in the team looks all but assured ahead of the visit of Preston.

Should Hanley provide a solid performance, it may secure his place in the starting XI this weekend.

CB: Chancel Mbemba

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Mbemba has proven his quality in England over the past 15 months and has become a key component to Newcastle achieving any success recently.

The DR Congo international defender was signed in 2015 and formed a partnership with Fabricio Coloccini before the Argentine departed the club in the summer.

LB: Achraf Lazaar

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The Moroccan left-back could be set for a rare start for the club following a summer from Palermo.

Lazaar was highly thought of in Italy before his move to the North East, but the form of Paul Dummett has kept him warming the bench as Newcastle have continued their push up the league table.

A first appearance for the club came in the third round tie against Wolves and he will be hoping for a similar victory to secure his side's place in the next round.

CM: Jack Colback

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The 'Ginger Pirlo', Colback has become a pivotal part of Newcastle's success this year and the Geordie remains the highest profile local player currently in the Newcastle squad.

Colback famously made the move from Sunderland in 2014 and received a lot of abuse for his career choice, but his dedication and commitment to Newcastle cannot be questioned.

CM: Mo Diame

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This is now Diame's second season in the Championship after he turned down Premier League football with newly-promoted Hull City to move to St. James' Park.

Diame has been a colossus for Benitez's boys this season and his ability to play in a number of positions makes him the perfect squad player. After making two appearances in the previous rounds, Diame is being tipped for a return to the first-team this Tuesday.

His ability to defend and attack will ensure Preston's midfielders will need to remain at their very best.

RM: Christian Atsu

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It wouldn't be harsh to state Christian Atsu's career has failed to live up to expectation as of yet.

The Ghanaian winger has been impressive for his nation since making his debut in 2012 but is currently struggling to find a club willing to provide him with the platform of regular first-team football.

Rafa Benitez opted to make a loan move for Astu this summer to strengthen his squad in the hope of achieving promotion. Atsu has struggled to make much of an impact but will probably get his chance to shine against Preston.

CAM: Ayoze Perez

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When the transfer window slammed shut it came as a surprise to see Perez continuing to represent Newcastle.

Although the Spaniard is certainly inconsistent, his ability is endless. Perez was devastatingly good for Newcastle against Ipswich on Saturday and is expected to be given an opportunity to continue to impress against Preston.

Five goals in 12 games in all competitions is not a bad return for the 23-year-old.

LM: Yoan Gouffran

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When Gouffran scores for Newcastle, they don't lose. The French winger recently made his 100th league appearance for the club and continues to score important goals for the Toon.

Gouffran was expected to be frozen out of the squad this season but he has played in both EFL Cup games as well as 11 league matches.

His three goals have all come at crucial times, and the Newcastle faithful will be hopeful of another against Preston.

ST: Aleksandar Mitrovic

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The Serbia international has rarely been witnessed near the first-team in recent weeks as the form of Dwight Gayle has been that impressive.

Mitrovic's Newcastle career has regularly been halted due to conduct issues on the pitch but it's now time the giant centre-forward focuses on scoring goals instead of clocking up red cards.

A goal or two against Preston this week and Benitez will have some selection headaches this weekend.