Newcastle

Newcastle v Arsenal Betting Preview
The Magpies can rest easy in their final match of the season, having warded off the demons of relegation which looked to be haunting them. Alan Pardew’s men will live to fight another season. So all of the pressure is on the visiting Arsenal for this one, who need to rattle off a win to be certain of finishing fourth and getting into the Champions League next season. The math is simple for the Gunners, do better than Spurs on the final day and they are in.

Newcastle v Arsenal Betting Odds at online bookmaker Paddy Power
Arsenal 4/7, Draw 3/1, Newcastle 5/1

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Newcastle v Arsenal Recommended Bet:
The Magpies found points just at the right time of the season, even though they have won one of their last five in the Premier League. That was an away win at QPR last week after falling behind from the penalty spot in the game. Newcastle are without a win in their last two home matches though, both ending in defeat, losing 3-0 against Sunderland in the Tyne and Wear derby, and then getting hammered 6-0 by Liverpool. Overall this season on home turf, Newcastle have posted a W9 D1 L8 record and there hasn’t been a league draw at St James Park in the last sixteen. Scoring from Newcastle at home hasn’t been great this season, they have converted at a rate of 1.3 goals per game, conceding at a rate of 1.6 per game. 72% of all of Newcastle’s home games have gone over 2.5 goals.

Newcastle suffered a massive 7-3 defeat at the hands of Arsenal earlier in the season. The Magpies have only won one of their last eleven Premier League matches against the Gunners (W1 D5 L5). They have failed to score in their last two home games as well, and the last time they went three in a row was back in 2007 (actually part of a six match no-scoring streak). Arsene Wenger’s men will be favourite for this one, not only because they have to push for a result to secure a Champions League spot, but because they have won their last four away matches in a row as well. A midweek win over Wigan, relegating the Latics, saw the Gunners leave themselves in fourth place, just a point ahead of Spurs, and only two behind Chelsea.

There is the scenario, that if Chelsea draw and Arsenal win by a one goal margin (all depending on how many goals the Blues score) that the Gunners and Chelsea would finish with identical records for the season and have to face in each other in a play off for third. Arsenal have been great in the second half of matches this season, if only second half results counted, they would be top of the league. The Gunners are currently on a nine match unbeaten streak in the Premier League, winning seven of them. With five wins in their last six away matches in the top flight, they are going strongly enough to return three points. Arsenal have scored at a rate of 1.3 goals per game on the road this season, but defensively they have been great, superb, conceding at a rate of just 0.8 per away game.

The Gunners have scored in each of their last eleven away matches now and have a good record going against the Magpies. Should be an away win at the end of the day and just worth rolling with the Gunners at 4/7 with online bookmaker Paddy Power

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Form
Newcastle DLDLDW, Arsenal WDWDWW

Stat Attack
Newcastle have lost their last two home games, conceding nine and scoring none
Newcastle have won just one of their last 10 final day fixtures in the EPL
Arsenal have lost just one of the last eleven meetings against the Magpies
The Gunners are just the 4th side in EPL history to have four players reach double figures

Newcastle v Liverpool Betting Preview
It looks as if the Magpies have done enough to get themselves clear of the drop zone, thanks to the failure of the teams beneath them to pick up points. So it is just a matter of consolidating position at the moment for Alan Pardew and looking for better times next season. Still, they will want to get points on the board so they aren’t looking back over their shoulder. Liverpool will of course go without Luis Suarez who won’t be seen again until next season. Will that leave them short up front and put a dampener to the end of their season?

Newcastle v Liverpool Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet365
Liverpool 7/5, Newcastle 15/8, Draw 5/2

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Liverpool’s front line has pretty much been destroyed with the absence of Luis Suarez. With Newcastle struggling for goals as well this season, there could be some value in backing up your betting on the match with Bet365’s 0-0 Bore Draw promotion. If the game ends in a 0-0 draw, then the bookie will refund losing stakes on the Correct Score, Scorecast and Half Time/Full Time bets placed on the match prior to kick off. New customers registering an account with online bookmaker Bet365 can get up to a free £200 bet as a welcome bonus, as the bookie will match the value of your initial deposit on a new account.

Newcastle v Liverpool Recommended Bet:
The Magpies do have a bit of breathing space in the relegation battle, more so if Wigan don’t win their game in hand over them. Until they were hammered 3-0 at home by Sunderland in mid April, they had won four Premier League matches in a row at St James Park. It has pretty much been their home form which has been keeping them float. The Magpies took a 1-1 draw at Anfield earlier in the season, being pegged back by Luis Suarez, which isn’t going to happen in this game. A little bit of fight from Newcastle and Liverpool could be there for the picking in this one. At home this season, the Magpies have posted a W9 D1 L7 record in the Premier League and they are without a draw in their last 15 home matches.

They have scored at a rate of 1.4 goals per game, exactly the amount which they have conceded too. 70% of Newcastle’s home games this season have gone over 2.5 goals so there is the potential of some scoring in Saturday’s match. Just to put into context Newcastle’s home form, they have taken 75% of all their points at home this season. One win in the last five matches though isn’t showing great form though and makes them vulnerable. Liverpool have shown good form against Newcastle in the Premier League, winning nine and drawing one of the last 13 meetings. The Reds have drawn their last three in a row now in the top flight, so even with Suarez around they have been struggling to get wins on the board. Take him out of the picture and it could be tougher.

The faint dreams of Brendan Rodger’s men in breaking into Europe has pretty much been shot in the foot by Suarez and his biting. They have suffered just one loss in their last eight Premier League matches, so they aren’t in bad shape. Two of their last three matches though have ended in frustrating 0-0 draws against West Ham and Reading. On the Road, the Reds have been beaten just once in their last six matches now and overall have posted a W5 D7 L5 record for the season. The Reds have scored at a rate of 1.7 goals per game, but have conceded at a rate of 1.5 on the road. Luis Suarez had scored a dozen of his 23 goals away from home. Steven Gerrard is the next top scorer on the road for Liverpool this season with just four.

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A draw really looks to be a plausible outcome in this one. The Magpies have won the last two at home against Liverpool, but are lacking a bit in all areas of the pitch this season. Tough match up front for Liverpool without Suarez and a draw trading at a price of 5/1 with online bookmaker Bet365 looks decent value.

Form
Newcastle LLWDLD, Liverpool WLWDDD

Stat Attack
There have been over 2.5 goals in 13 of Liverpool 17 away games this season
Liverpool have only kept 2 clean sheets in 18 EPL visits to Tyneside
Newcastle have lost nine of the last 13 EPL meetings against the Reds
The Magpies have conceded more goals at this stage of an EPL campaign that ever

If you are finding yourself in Premier League Relegation betting talks at this stage of the season, then you know you are in trouble. While it is safe to assume that both Reading and QPR will be playing Championship football next season, it leaves one relegation spot open. With a general five games to go on the season, Wigan are occupying that spot, but do have the advantage of a game in hand over the teams directly above them. Will that be a factor? The overwhelming favourites of Reading and QPR to take the drop aren’t worth discussing at this stage, as both sit ten points clear of safety, perhaps eleven when you take into account goal difference as well. Assuming Wigan turn up and win their game in hand, it would leave an immensely tight scrap to avoid being the third side to drop.

Wigan 5/4 at online bookmaker Ladbrokes
Wigan, trading at a price of 5/4 with online bookmaker Ladbrokes are the favourites to make up the triumvirate. But everything could all come down to the fixture list for the remainder of the season. It is a massive achievement for Wigan that they have reached the FA Cup final will be playing in the Europa League next season. But how is their Premier League status holding up? It is certainly on shaky grounds and that FA Cup final against Man City could actually get in the way of their survival, having an extra match to squeeze in, which isn’t going to help. Wigan will need a couple of wins to get out of their troubles, at the very least. There are games in which points could be picked up, away at West Ham, and at home against Swansea. The crucial game for Wigan could all come down to the final day when they host Aston Villa. That could well be the shootout for survival. They managed to survive last season by taking 15 points from the last 18 available to stay up. It is going to take a lot to match that.
Wigan Final Six: a v West Ham, h v Tottenham, a v West Brom, h v Swansea, a v Arsenal, h v Aston Villa

Aston Villa 3/1 at online bookmaker Ladbrokes
The Villains, one of the Premier League’s founding clubs, have been struggling all season, but there have been some signs of promise from Paul Lambert’s men. They had started putting wins on the board at the right time of the season, but they still have the second worst defence in the league. They are very lightweight going forward as well, but the young side has started to gel together a bit under the pressure of the threat of relegation and are responding. There are teams in worse form around them, and they look promising enough to scrape together enough points to survive. They have enjoyed an upwards swing in form although they have a couple of tough games to come against Man United and Chelsea. The game on the final day against Wigan could be massive, but if they pick up points against Sunderland and Norwich in between, that may just be enough to keep the relegation wolves from their door.
Aston Villa Final Five: a v Man United, h v Sunderland, a v Norwich, h v Chelsea, a v Wigan

Stoke 4/1 at online bookmaker Ladbrokes
The Potters have slowly but surely been dragged into the relegation battle after a terrible run of form, picking up just one point in seven matches.  They have been sliding and sliding and Tony Pulis has called on his troops to show some fight and character. The problem for Stoke is that they are the Premier League’s lowest scoring side this season and that is really beginning to hurt them because their defence hasn’t been as tight as it usually is. They are in a fight, especially with the improving Aston Villa level on points with them with five matches to play. The Potters were eighth on Boxing Day, and they have just going into a major self-destruct mode since then. The goals have pretty much dried up but the fixture list is pretty kind to them. There should be points available against QPR, Norwich, Sunderland and Southampton and the only tough game is a home match against Tottenham who are in a fight for European spots. The run in is set up nicely for them the to survive, but three of the five games are on the road and if points don’t come from their next games against QPR and Norwich, they will be under immense pressure. Two goals in their last seven games don’t bode well for them and could be good value to take the drop, because Wigan and Villa are in better form.
Stoke Final Five: a v QPR, h v Norwich, a v Sunderland, h v Tottenham, a v Sunderland

Sunderland 6/1 at online bookmaker Ladbrokes
The Black Cats aren’t out of the woods, despite their rousing win over Newcastle. They were helped in that match with a Magpies wrongly-disallowed goal and newcastle keeper Tim Krul going off injured. New boss Paolo Di Canio has probably raised spirits at the club, who have taken just 5pts from the last 18 leading into their final five matches of the season. There are a couple of tough looking games for Sunderland to come, notably against Everton and Tottenham. But sandwiched in between that are games which are winnable. However, they are against teams who are all around them. There are a couple of high profile clashes against Stoke and Aston Villa to get themselves through, as well as a game against Southampton. Defeats against the Potters and Villains would be highly costly. Still treading thin waters.
Sunderland Final Five: h v Everton, a v Aston Villa, h v Stoke, h v Southampton, a v Tottenham

Norwich 9/1, Newcastle 20/1
These two look to be just on the outskirts of real relegation danger, but could quickly get sucked deeper in. There is probably a bigger worry for Norwich, who didn’t pick up a win in any of their seven matches before their final five fixtures. They are in terrible form of 3 points from 18 before heading into those final games. They probably just have enough in the tank to squeeze over the line, but there are big three pointers to come against reading, Stoke and Aston Villa. They’ll need to get all they can out of those with games against West Brom and a visit to Man City to round off the season with. The thing working in Newcastle’s favour is that they are the top scoring team inside the bottom eight, so will probably have enough to stay up, even though they have been slumping a bit of late, including taking that crushing blow against bitter rivals Sunderland. Have big games against Liverpool and Arsenal to come in their last two home matches, which aren’t easy. Given they have been so poor on the road, away games at West Brom, West Ham and QPR could easily make them vulnerable.
Norwich Final Five: h v Reading, a v Stoke, h v Aston Villa, h v West Brom, a v Man City
Newcastle Final Five: a v West Brom, h v Liverpool, a v West Ham, a v QPR, h v Arsenal

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Newcastle v Sunderland Betting Preview
The Magpies have a great chance to sink their rivals down into some serious relegation issues on Sunday. At the same time Alan Pardew’s men would just about ease all worries about taking the drop themselves. A nice feisty north east derby is on the cards for this one, with Sunderland’s Paulo Di Canio needing desperately to find his first win with the Black Cats.

Newcastle v Sunderland Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet Victor
Newcastle 20/21, Draw 5/2, Sunderland 33/10

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One big stat here is that there have been five red cards in the last five league meetings between Newcastle and Sunderland (four of them going to the Black Cats). If a Red Card is shown at any time in the match, online bookmaker Bet Victor will refund losing Correct Score, First Goalscorer, Last Goalscorer, Scorecast and Man Of The Match bets. New customers registering an account can get up to a free £25 bet as a welcome bonus.

Newcastle v Sunderland Recommended Bet:
It has all still been pretty patchy from the Magpies of late, but because of other resultsaround them and a late winner at Fulham last weekend, they have given themselves some breathing space. They bowed out of the Europa League on Thursday night, so Sunderland will have had an extra rest over them. But despite their form looking patchy, Newcastle’s form has been very good at home lately. They have won the last four in a row at the St James Park, it has just been their away form which has been abysmal. So, with Sunderland struggling, Newcastle could well take their chances here. One interesting trend to look at, is that in three of their last four wins at home, Newcastle have scored a 90th minute winner. So you probably aren’t going to be looking at big winning margins here for the Magpies if they get the job done.

Newcastle have ran up a W9 D1 L6 record at home this season and they have scored at a rate of 1.5 goals per game. Their January signings have helped them immensely, but they still are looking a little light up front. Newcastle haven’t drawn a home matches in the last 14 now in the Premier League. Shola Ameobi has scored seven goals in 13 Premier League meetings with Sunderland and he is the top scoring player in the Tyne-Wear derby in the Premier League era. So given Newcastle’s home form, and Sunderland not having managed a win in their last nine games, it’s little surprise that the visitors go as underdogs in this one. They were held to a 1-1 draw earlier in the season against Newcastle, and right now they may be welcome of a point. Sunderland have lost their last two games back to back and have been defeated in six of the last eight.

With Wigan playing in the FA Cup semi final, even if they lose, the Black Cats won’t fall into the drop zone this weekend. But they are level on points with Wigan and will have played two games more, so they are treading on thin ground. Sunderland are without a win in seven league visits to St James Park now, and in their 10 Premier League visits there, they have never kept a clean sheet. Sunderland have only won one of the last 16 Premier League Tyne-Wear derbies now and everything looks as if it is trending against them and might well they take another hit. Newcastle aren’t always that dependable at short odds, and as not a lot of goals are expected, it’s worth consider a Draw/Newcastle Half Time/Full Time bet for a price of 9/2 at online bookmaker Bet Victor.

Form
Newcastle WLLLWD, Sunderland LDLDLL

Stat Attack
Four of the last six derbies have ended 1-1
Sunderland have won one of the last sixteen EPL derbies against Newcastle
Sunderland have never kept a clean sheet at St James Park in the Premier League
Newcastle have scored three 90th minute winners in their last four home wins

Newcastle v Benfica Betting Preview
The Magpies are still on course for some European success and their great defensive efforts so far in the competition need to continue as they take on the tough Benfica side. The Portuguese side have hit the ground running since dropping from the Champions League and they look in fine form and ready to crack over what has been a mean Magpies defence.

Newcastle v Benfica Betting Odds at online bookmaker Boylesports
Benfica 8/15, Draw 11/4, Newcastle 6/1

Newcastle v Benfica Recommended Bet:
The Magpies have struggled going forward in the competition, but at the back they have been great. That has been the story of their Europa League campaign so far. They have now kept four clean sheets in a row and if they post another on Thursday night, it’ll be a competition record. At the other end though, the Magpies have only score nine goals since the start of the group stage, so you worry that if their defence does get breached, will they have a response in them?

Newcastle have only won one of their six away games in this season’s Europa League as well, taking four draws, so not in the greatest form. Still, you feel that if they can keep the exciting and talented Benfica side quiet in this first leg then they will be fairly happy. It was a late goal against Anzhi Makhachkala that settled the round of sixteen tie 1-0 for the Magpies. The likelihood is that there are going to be goals in this one. Newcastle’s record against Portuguese sides in five UEFA games reads W1 D3 L1. They have only taken one draw and one way in Portugal. The last time that Newcastle were at this stage they lost to Portuguese side Sporting Clube de Portugal.

Benfica have rattled off four wins from four in the competition so far after dropping out of the Champions League. They have seen off Bayer Leverkusen and Bordeaux so far. Just to make Newcastle’s task more difficult, Benfica have won their last four European home matches in a row now, and haven’t been defeated on home turf in 13 UEFA Europa League home fixtures (W12 D1 L0). Benfica have now reached the last eight in each of their three Europa League campaigns so they know what this is about. However, they are on a five match winless streak against Premier League sides, suffering three defeats in those game. Overall, Benfica’s 29 previous matches against English sides have ended with a W9 D4 L16 record, with a W6 D3 L5 at home against English visitors. All five of Benfica’s previous quarter finals against English sides, have been lost by the Portuguese side. Benfica and Chelsea are the only two sides left in the competition who came from the Champions League.

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Remarkably all three remaining English sides were kept apart for the quarter final draw. Newcastle again needed a narrow margin to get through to the last eight, a 93rd minute strike by Papiss Cisse at St James Park, the only goal of their tie against Anzhi Makhachkala. This will be the second time this season that the Magpies will go up against Portuguese opposition, having faced Maritimo twice in the group stage. Newcastle are the lowest scoring side left in the competition who has made it this far from the initial group stage. So looking at that in a positive light, it will be the fact that defensively they have been strong. They are on a very good run of form at home and with their 1-0 win over Anzhi, they racked up their fourth clean sheet in a row in this year’s competition.

Newcastle hold a record of W4 D5 L2 (W4 D2 L0 at home) against Portuguese sides in Europe, so they have been pretty strong, although this is the first meeting with Benfica. Given the form of Benfica, the Portuguese side are one of the favourites to take this year’s title outright. The Magpies have proven that they have the grit and fight for this European title, but will the lack of goals let them down in the end, especially against an exciting, fluent Benfica side? The last time Newcastle were at this stage, they were incidentally knocked out by a Portuguese side, Sporting Clube de Portugal.

Newcastle v Benfica Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet365 – To Qualify
Benfica 1/2, Newcastle 6/4

Benfica have lost all five of their previous quarter finals in Europe against English sides. Big trend there, but this is a good Benfica side. They are one of the teams that the other seven will wanted to have avoid and they are unbeaten in all competitions since October 23, 2012. The Portuguese side took a 4-2 aggregate win against Bordeaux in the round of sixteen, and after dropping down from the Champions League, losing out on a qualifying spot there to Barcelona and Glasgow Celtic, they have won all four matches in the Europa League. They have ran up twenty two unbeaten matches in the Portuguese Primeira Liga and with such an exciting balance of discipline, creativity and power to their side, if they get the space then they could punish Newcastle badly. Benfica are third favourites behind Chelsea and Tottenham to win the Europa League outright and certainly cannot be underestimated by this one. They look as if they will have more goals in them than the Magpies could muster up.

First Leg – April 4th – Lisbon
Second Leg – April 11th – Newcastle

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Barcelona v PSG Champions League Betting Preview
The draw for the quarter finals sets up this big clash between the master and apprentice. Four time European Champions Barcelona will be looking for some revenge as well after their previous Champions League clash. Back in the 1995 quarter finals, the two sides came together and a 2-1 win for PSG back in Paris saw them edge through to the semi finals 3-2 on aggregate. The draw will produce a reunion between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and his former employees.

Ibrahimovic has been the big star signing for the Parisians as they try and muscle their way into the European elite. Former Real Madrid player David Beckham will also get another look at Barcelona and renew a midfield rivalry with Andres Iniesta. This will be the biggest test that Paris St Germain have faced so far on their rise. While they are top of the French league, they clearly want to establish themselves as a European powerhouse. They will start at home, but even their sporting director Leonardo admitted that it was the worst draw possible for them.

Barcelona v PSG Champions League Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet365 – to qualify
Barcelona 1/7, PSG 9/2

Paris St Germain have really not proven themselves against a top side yet, although they are a natural counter attacking side which may help them against Barcelona. AC Milan scored a big win over Barcelona in the first leg of their last sixteen clash, but that was built all on tactical discipline. Paris don’t have that, and look what happened when AC Milan couldn’t stick to their plan in the second leg. Barcelona powered their way to a 4-0 second leg win, inspired by Lionel Messi. They will be more than a match for anyone, especially at the Nou Camp. After the way that they struck back against the Milanese, Barcelona will maintain their status as firm favourites.

Both themselves and Real Madrid had their odds cut on winning the tournament outright following the quarter final draw. With that draw, the first ever European final between Barcelona and Real Madrid is still on the cards. Barcelona have had their weaknesses this season, particularly in defence, but over two legs, especially if they get an away goal in the first leg in Paris, it should set them up well against the unproven qualities of the French contenders.

First Leg April 2nd – Parc des Princes, Paris
Second Leg April 10th – Camp Nou, Barcelona

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Wigan v Newcastle Betting Preview
The Latics still need to keep plugging away as they try and get themselves clear of the drop zone. They are three points away from safety, but do still have a game in hand over everyone else. Can they take advantage of Newcastle’s patchy form, and the fact that the Magpies are coming off the back of a tough Europa League match on Thursday night? Three points for the home side would keep the relegation battle wide open.

Wigan v Newcastle Betting Odds at online bookmaker Paddy Power
Wigan 5/4, Newcastle 9/4, Draw 11/5

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Wigan v Newcastle Recommended Bet:
The Latics go into this one as narrow favourites, and that is because of a pretty good record against the Magpies. Wigan have averaged 2.5 points per home game in the Premier League against Newcastle, a higher average than against any other side who they have hosted more than once. That could point to a valuable lifeline for them as they look to perform another escape act. There has only been one win in the last eight Premier League matches now for Wigan, who have lost half of those last eight. The only breath of fresh air was a convincing 3-0 win over Reading towards the end of February, but then they were thumped 4-0 at home by Liverpool following that. But again, the unpredictable Wigan hammered Everton 3-0 in the FA Cup quarter final last weekend, totally outplaying the Toffees. It was a magnificent performance and if they played like that week in week out in the Premier League, they’d be a top half of the table team.

Wigan have posted just two home wins in the Premier League this season, overall managing a W2 D4 L8 record. They average 1.2 goals per game at home, but defensively it is bad reading, having conceded at a rate of 2.2 goals per game at the DW Stadium. Wigan have taken just two points from their last seven home matches in the top flight, and they are far more bankable away from home. Wigan have also conceded the most goals in 2013 of all Premier League sides and they are on a fifteen match home streak without a clean sheet. In those fifteen matches, they have conceded a massive 33 goals. But Newcastle aren’t a high scoring team really, so Wigan should be targeting three points hard here, especially with their confidence from reaching the FA Cup semi finals and Newcastle having been on Europa League duty on Thursday night.

Newcastle edged Anzhi Makhachkala 1-0 on aggregate, thanks to a 93rd minute goal by Papiss Cisse on Thursday night. Newcastle’s form has clearly improved thanks to the January transfer window. The Magpies have now won four of their last six in the PRemier League and have recorded three wins on the bounce at home. It’s a different story on their travels though, as they have lost their last two in a row (both by a 1 goal margin) which should make Wigan favourites here. Newcastle have been poor on the road all season, having recorded just one away win all term. Their overall away record this season stands at W1 D5 L8. They have scored at a rate of 1.2 goals per game away from St James Park and have conceded at a rate of just over two goals per game on their travels. Newcastle have scored just two goals in six previous visits to the DW Stadium and are on a WLWLW streak in the Premier League, so if that keeps, Wigan may be getting a valuable three points.

Wigan need this more than Newcastle, and given the away form of the Magpies, and Wigan winning this fixture 4-0 last season, would go with the Latics to edge it by a one goal margin for a price of 11/4 at online bookmaker Paddy Power.

Form
Wigan DLWWLW, Newcastle DWWLDW

Stat Attack
Newcastle have scored just twice in six visits to the DW Stadium
Wigan have conceded more goals in 2013 than any other EPL side
Wigan are 15 matches without a clean sheet in the league
Newcastle have lost five of the previous six league matches at Wigan

Newcastle v Anzhi Makhachkala Betting Preview
To their huge credit, the Magpies came through their first leg out in Russia unscathed. Given Aznhi’s impressive home European form, Newcastle kept themselves in the hunt for a place in the quarter finals with a 0-0 draw. Now the question is whether or not they can take advantage of their own good home form and end the Anzhi adventure.

Newcastle v Anzhi Makhachkala Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet365
Newcastle 6/4, Anzhi 15/8,Draw 11/5

Newcastle v Anzhi Makhachkala Recommended Bet:
It was defense that got the Magpies through a big first test in this tie, ending Anzhi 100% home record in Europe. Prior to the Premier League side showing up, the Russians had won seven out of seven home matches. That was the first meeting between the two sides and now it will be Newcastle’s defensive record at home which they will need to turn to. In their three European fixtures since the turn of the year they haven’t conceded, and they are unbeaten in their last twelve home fixtures in European competition. Their last defeat came all the way back in the 2005 UEFA Intertoto cup against Deportivo La Coruna. Defense is going to be crucial for the home side, because they are the lowest scoring team left in the competition.

Newcastle have netted just eight goals to get this far in the competition, the lowest tally by any of the surviving teams who came through the group stage. This really has the potential to go all the way to a penalty shoot out. If it does then Newcastle are inexperienced there, having faced just one shoot out ever before in Europe, and losing that. That said, Azhi are totally inexperienced having never been involved in a penalty shoot out in UEFA Competition. This is the first time that Anzhi have made it to the last 16 of a European competition and they do have the wise head of Guus Hiddink at the helm to guide them through. However, the Russians have not won in four away games now in Europe. They have taken two draws and two defeats in their last four European away games.

After having entered the stage at the second qualifying round, Anzhi along with Viktoria Plzen are the two longest surviving teams in the competition. It was all about defences on top in the first leg, but it was Anzhi’s Samuel Eto’o looked the most likely to break the deadlock. The Russians did have the better control and possession in the first leg, with the injury hit Newcastle not creating very much at all. With Newcastle’s form improving in the Premier League and getting further away from relegation danger, they can concentrate on Europe. It will be down to the depth and spirit of the squad though with this tie wide open and being in danger of conceding an away goal on the night. Pardew should be fielding a much stronger side though.

Samuel Eto’o looked the most dangerous player on the pitch in the first leg, looks a decent call for First Goalscorer at a price of 5/1 with online bookmaker Bet365.

Form
Newcastle DWWLWDW, Anzhi LDWDDL

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Will the second leg go the same way as the first. There was little to choose between the two sides in the first leg, with defences well on top. It could be worth taking advantage of online bookmaker Bet365’s 0-0 Bore Draw Insurance again for this one. If the game ends in a 0-0 draw, then the bookie will refund all losing Half Time/Full Time, Correct Score and Scorecast bets placed on the match. Great coverage in a tight looking tie, and new customers registering an account can get up to a £200 bet as a welcome bonus, as Bet365 will match the value of your first deposit.

Newcastle v Anzhi Makhachkala Betting Preview
It is into the round of sixteen for the Magpies, but they have a long and difficult trip to Russia. It is going to be important for them to keep as tight as possible. There was further struggles for them in the Premier League weekend, will that have an effect on them? Anzhi hold a record of seven wins from seven European home matches. That will leave the Magpies as underdogs.

Newcastle v Anzhi Makhachkala Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet365
Anzhi 7/10, Draw 13/5, Newcastle 4/1

Newcastle v Anzhi Makhachkala Recommended Bet:
A tough game for Newcastle in Russia and here is why. Anzhi have rattled off seven wins from their last seven European home games and they have kept clean sheets in six of them. A 3-1 win over Hannover 96 at home in the last round was the only goal that they have conceded at home in those seven matches. They also beat Liverpool 1-0 in the group stage as well. This is the first time that they have been at this stage of a UEFA competition and along with Plzen are the longest surviving club in the contest after having entered at the second qualifying round. Guus Hiddink is the man at the helm of the Russian club and they have the threat of Samuel Eto’o up front, the only player to have featured in all of Anji’s eight European games this season in the main draw.

It is a formidable home record that they hold and it could put Newcastle’s venture in Europe in jeopardy. Anzhi have only faced an English side twice before, that win against Liverpool at home which followed a 1-0 defeat back Anfield.  This is the fifth time that Newcastle have been in the round of sixteen in UEFA competition. It will be the first meeting for the Magpies and Anzhi and it is also the first time that Newcastle have faced Russian opposition in their history. The Magpies beat FC Metalist Kharkiv in their last match, out in the Ukraine, and that 1-0 triumph signalled the end of five away matches in Europe with recording a win.

So in their last six European matches, Newcastle have achieved a W1 D3 L2 record, which isn’t terrible. The Magpies haven’t been very prolific in Europe this season though, scoring just eight goals in eight games. That has been the lowest tally of goals recorded by any of the teams left in the competition who came through the group stage. Perhaps most worryingly for Magpies fans in this one, is that they have failed to find the back of the net in three of their last four matches in all competition, including a 1-0 defeat at Swansea on the weekend. Can they hold on to at least take a point back to Tyneside? The Magpies are one of three English teams left in the round of 16, and Anzhi are one of three Russian sides left in.

Form
Newcastle DLDWWL, Anzhi LWWLWD

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This looks as if it will be a pretty tight game, with the Russians having something of a fortress to bank on. It could be a long defensive night for Newcastle who have taken three draws from five away matches this season, and they have failed to score in two of those five. Perhaps it will be worth looking a 0-0 Bore Draw coverage at online bookmaker Bet365. If the game ends goalless then the bookie will refund all lost stakes on the Correct Score, Scorecast and Half Time/Full Time markets. New customers registering an account can get up to a £200 free bet, as the bookie will match the value of your first deposit as a welcome bonus.