Newcastle United v Leeds United Betting Tip Both teams to score – 14 April 2017

Could be another nervy night for Newcastle

Championship Tips

14th April 2016 Kickoff: 1945hrs Newcastle United v Leeds United Football – England – Championship Easter Weekend is usually the beginning of the end as the English teams jockey for position with just a few weeks of the season left. The majority of the teams in the Championship have five games remaining but there will be a few clubs hoping they can extend that season by finishing in the playoff positions. One of those clubs is Leeds United who travel to second top Newcastle on Good Friday looking to cement their place in fifth. Newcastle, on the other hand, are within touching distance of a return to the Premier League but will be attempting to put a few stutters behind them, starting with this game.

Newcastle were overwhelming favourites to win the Championship having been relegated last season and although they are close to securing automatic promotion, they are far from certain to win the division. Despite having Rafael Benitez at the helm and the biggest budget in the league, it’s certainly not been straightforward and that has been illustrated in their last run of form. With just two wins in their last six it has given Brighton a way back to the top of the table and just made the Magpies have the odd glance or two behind them at Huddersfield – who have a game in hand over them. Friday’s game against Leeds is another challenge for them, especially coming off the back of a 2-1 defeat against another Yorkshire side in Sheffield Wednesday. Newcastle’s last two home games have also been struggles against lowly Wigan and Burton, and although they managed to win those games it is a further indication of how difficult three points are to come by at this stage of the campaign.

It has been a terrific first season in charge for Garry Monk who has taken a Leeds United team from Championship strugglers to within a few games of finishing in the top six and a chance of returning to the top flight for the first time in over a decade. They’re currently in fifth spot with a gap of three points to Wednesday, who sit directly below them, and more importantly five ahead of Fulham who are waiting patiently on the teams above them to drop points as the bid to move into a playoff position. Nothing is guaranteed whatsoever but if their performances this season are anything to go by then Leeds will certainly not lack for the desire or attitude required in these final few games. Although they had a rocky spell where they lost two straight against Reading and Brentford, Saturday’s impressive 3-0 win against Preston was the perfect way to rebound and they can now come into this one against what will be a nervy Newcastle side with a bit more confidence.

Newcastle United v Leeds United Betting Tip

Newcastle have the best away record in the league and that’s an indication of their preference for playing on the road. Opposition teams do not give them as much space in behind when playing at home and you can expect Leeds to set up in a similar way on Friday. Dwight Gayle’s continued absence is another blow for Benitez’ men. Leeds are more than capable of holding their own on their travels, evidence by their eight wins but they will know themselves the test that awaits them.

The bet I like in this game is for both teams to score. Despite their position in the league Newcastle have kept just seven clean sheets at home from 20 attempts, and four of them have been against teams in the bottom half. Leeds have relied on Chris Wood for their goals this term but they’ve also scored in 14 of their away games and will relish the type of situation they are going into.

Both teams to score 21/20 @ Betfair