Newcastle United

Manchester United v Newcastle United Betting Tip & Odds: Would pretty much bank on a home win for the Red Devils, even if they are not playing all that well. Looking through the Asian Handicap markets for this, there looks to be decent value on Newcastle +1 for 5/4 at Stan James, but for better value, would take Manchester United at -1.5 Asian Handicap for Evens at Paddy Power. Javier Hernandez is worth jumping on as First Goalscorer for 3/1 with Victor Chandler in combo with their promotion (see below).

Manchester United to win: 2/5 at Bet365
Draw: 4/1 at Boylesports
Newcastle United to win: 10/1 at Stan James

EPL Match Preview: You almost want to think that are not going to be many goals in this one for your Man Utd v Newcastle betting. United have gone into their shell, and Newcastle like to keep things pretty tight, more so probably after losing their undefeated start last weekend. This may be little more than a war of attrition between the second and fourth placed teams in the Premier League, you get the picture of it being a real grinder. The Magpies will want to stifle the game as much as possible, recognising that a point at Old Trafford would be very precious, while United look a bit disjointed and certainly not playing fluent football, highlight in last weekends 1-0 away win at Swansea and a dull 1-0 at home against Sunderland preceding that. United of course need points to keep up the pressure on Manchester City who have a big match against Liverpool on the weekend, and it will be interesting to see what Newcastle have learned from their trip to man City last weekend.

Manchester United Form: Ever since the Red Devils were demolished at Old Trafford by Manchester City, we have seen Sir Alex Ferguson take a very different approach to the Premier League. Gone has the swagger with which they started the season, crushing all that came before them. They have gone into a very mundane, defensive kind of mode lately, just grinding out results. It is working for them though, because they won their last three league matches 1-0, with very little style or substance really. They haven’t been helped by Wayne Rooney drying up in front of goal, and they have had to rely on rescues from Javier Hernandez to get the job done against Everton and Swansea lately. They have had their injury problems and illness at the club which hasn’t helped, and contributed to their 2-2 draw with Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday night. A lack of anything in midfield really hurt them with the pace and bravery of the Portuguese going at them. Still, to their great credit this is what they can do and you know they will be in the running for the title at the end of the season. They are currently five points back of Manchester City at the summit of the Premier League at the moment, and need to keep up their winning ways because Tottenham Hotspur are suddenly breathing down their necks with a game in hand. Let’s look at the home form of United which will count here and at Old Trafford in the Premier League, they have won five and lost one. They haven’t had any drawn matches there in the league yet, and don’t see one coming. You are generally going to get a result at Old Trafford. That gives them a strong 83% win percentage at home, and they have managed to get on the score sheet in each of their six home games this season. It hasn’t quite been the defensive fortress that it has been at Old Trafford (where has solid defending gone this season in the Premier League!?!?) with United conceding a massive nine goals in their six home matches. Yes, two thirds of those came in one match, but that gives them an average of 1.5 goals conceded at Old Trafford. United have kept a clean sheet in just 50% of their home matches. But they can be relied on to find the net, at least once. They have fired in 18 league goals, and again, just as much as you have to count six of their goals conceded in one match, you have to take into account the eight goals they put past Arsenal in that total. That anomaly out of the equation, it hasn’t been a high return for them this season. You naturally always have to watch out for United in the final 15 minutes of matches, as that is when they have been at their most prolific. They are yet to concede a goal inside the first fifteen minutes of a Premier League match this season. You would expect United to open the scoring, having scored first in 83% of their matches, and while he hasn’t scored in seven league matches, Wayne Rooney tops the scoring charts with 9 goals. Javier Hernandez’s five so far have all been away from Old Trafford.

Newcastle United Form: We have all understood the rise of Newcastle this season. Boss Alan Pardew has built a side which is consistent and pretty solid, and you don’t go on an eleven match uneaten stretch from the start of the season without doing something right. But the high standing of the Magpies was always just a little bit misleading, because in those eleven matches, they only played two of the big teams and both of those matches against Arsenal and Spurs were at home, and ended in draws. The fact is, that Newcastle had not been tested on the road, and not tested against the very highest of opposition. They were last weekend when they went to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City, and came up very short. Newcastle lost 3-1 there, their first league defeat of the season and with another trip to Manchester this weekend, we are really going to see what they are made of. Will they have a response? No-one has gotten much change out of Man City this season to be fair to the Magpies, but their solid defence was made to look very ordinary. So let’s look at Newcastle’s away form in the Premier League, which is pretty decent. They have a 50% win percentage at the moment, but there has only been that one defeat alongside three wins and two draws. They haven’t been bad in front of goal either, currently on a run of scoring in each of their last four away matches, but they have also conceded on each of their last four away matches as well. Newcastle have scored 8 and conceded six in total on the road this season, so there is not great margins in their goal scoring stats, and that is where they may ultimately fall down. Just 33% of their away matches have produced a clean sheet for them. They haven’t stood out in any particular time of their matches for scoring goals, they have spread their goal scoring quite well, if not prolifically. They seem to most vulnerable in the 15 minutes before half time, as that is when they have conceded most of their goals. The Magpies have opened the scoring in 58% of their matches, with Demba Ba leading the club with goals, on 8 and half of those have been away from home.

Head to Head: United have a pretty strong home record against the Magpies, winning 62% of all home matches at home against Newcastle. Newcastle have only ever won nine of the 74 matches which they have played at Old Trafford. The corresponding fixture last season ended in a 3-0 win for the Red Devils, before the two sides drew back at St James Park. United have won five of the last six matches at Old Trafford against Newcastle. I got tired of scrolling through the stats to see when Newcastle last won there, but found myself back in the February of 1972 to see them record a 2-0 win. Not great omens for Saturday for the Magpies.

Online Bookmaker Promotion: Victor Chandler are running a great First Goalscorer Double Up promotion for this match, giving you the chance to double your odds. If your winning First Goalscorer hits two goals or more in the match, then the bookie will double up on your original First Goalscorer odds. Pretty good value and worth taking if you are looking in this market. Victor Chandler offer a free £25 bet as a sign up bonus for new customers. The bookie will match the value of your first stake on a new account with a free bet, up to that maximum of £25.

Manchester City v Newcastle United Betting Tip & Odds: This has to be a fascinating tussle on Saturday. There are no two ways about it. The last two unbeaten sides in the Premier League square off. City have already inflicted a heavy defeat against Man Utd who were also unbeaten when they went to the Etihad Stadium, so you have to think that there will be more flexing of the muscles from City. They have fired in over twice as many goals as Newcastle, and while Newcastle have a solid defences, that is whole lot of firepower which they have to try and keep at bay for ninety minutes. Therefore, think that it is worth dipping down to a Manchester City -1.75 Asian Handicap for 6/5 at Paddy Power

Manchester City to win: 1/3 at Totesport
Draw: 4/1 at BetFred
Newcastle United to win: 9/1 at Bet365

EPL Match Preview: This is going to be the battle between the undefeated this season, so who will suffer their first defeat, or will both of their records stand in tact at the end of 90 minutes at the Etihad Stadium. This is definitely one of the more interesting matches on the cards for your Premier League betting on Saturday, and that is simply a credit to the incredible job which Alan Pardew has done with the Magpies. Here are the league’s best two defences going up against each other, but the big difference, aside from the six point lead that City has over Newcastle, is that City have scored more than twice the amount of goals so far which the Magpies have. Both sides go into the match on a winning streak, so who will crack first? For all the good work which Newcastle have done, this will be their biggest test so far of the season. This is their first visit to a title contending side away from home. While they have held Arsenal and Spurs to draws at St James Park (or whatever it’s called now) this is their biggest test. So it will be a great indicator of just where Newcastle are, how good their defence is, up against the best offence in the league. City are expected to have Sergio Aguero line up after injury concern, but Samir Nasri sits out. So who will win the battle of the undefeated?

Manchester City Form: The league leaders are in sparkling form at the moment and look as if they can go from strength to strength. Now, with the winter months about to spark off some grueling matches, table topping City take a five point lead into the match and eyeing up this one, they wouldn’t have been expecting to play the third placed team in this fixture. But City have pretty much crushed all that come before them this season, and have only dropped two points so far in their eleven matches. It has been their explosive firepower which has really ignited Roberto Mancini’s efforts to take the Premier League title, with Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko firing on all cylinders. City have racked up 10 wins out of their 11 matches, and so far hold a 10% record at the Etihad Stadium. That is five wins out of five so far, and obviously they have found the back of the net in each of those matches. A lot of City’s success has been built upon their defence, and they have kept three clean sheets at home so far, so looking at the goal scoring stats for City at home, they are average 3.2 goals per home game and they are conceding just 0.4 goals on average. That is the kind of form which is going to win you league titles. Four out of those five home games for City in the league this year have produced Over 2.5 Goals. City’s most potent time of their matches is just after the break. They have scored their highest percentage of league goals this season in the fifteen minutes after the restart, and they have supported that with some very strong second half scoring. In fact, 77% of all City’s league goals this season have come in the second half. They have conceded just two goals in the first half of all their matches combined this season. Manchester City have scored first in 91% of their games this season, which is pretty incredible with over a quarter of the season gone. On the goal scoring front, Edin Dzeko leads the way for the club on 10 goals (interestingly though only two of them have been at home), with Aguero just one behind on nine. Mario Balotelli has played a very good supporting role with five goals. So when you sum up just what Manchester City have achieved this season, even when tough opposition roll into town you are going to expect Mancini’s men to keep on singing. They have scored in every match this season and they have won 91% of all their matches. Will they have the power and craft again to break down the stubborn defence of the Magpies?

Newcastle United Form: Clearly the surprise package of the season. While Manchester City were expected to be challenging for the title, Newcastle United were not. But, after eleven matches of the season, Newcastle sit in third place in the Premier League, just six points back of leaders City, so you can see the importance of this match for the Magpies. The success of Newcastle this season has been built upon their defence, there is no question about that, and boss Alan Pardew has played the same back four in every match so far this season, so consistency clearly pays off. They, along with City are the only sides to have yet to taste defeat this season in the league. Newcastle’s organized and mean defence have given up just eight goals all season, the best record in the league by far. True, their goal scoring feats are not up there amongst the elite in the league, but they are getting the job done because they aren’t letting things slip at the back. So they have been winning games, and they are on a three match winning streak. In their five away matches this season, Newcastle have won three and lost two, firing in seven goals and conceding just three, which is tremendous for a traveling side in the Premier League. So the averages for Newcastle in the goals department away from home, reads as scoring an average of 1.4 goals per game, and conceding just 0.6 goals per game away from home. Just to put this into context, that is 40% of their away matches in which they Magpies have kept clean sheets, and their away defensive record is better than their home one. Newcastle have spread their goal scoring out quite well, grabbing vital goals through their matches. One very interesting stat for Newcastle, is that they have yet to concede a goal in the fifteen minutes after half time in any match. That is the period in which Manchester City have been the most potent. So will the City offense or Newcastle defence win out in that vital period of the game? Newcastle have opened the scoring in 63% of their matches this season, which isn’t bad at all, and the goal scoring has fallen largely up on Demba Ba who has netted eight times.

Head to Head: The home team when these two have met, have always taken a strong position in the head to head record. But at Manchester City specifically, 50% of the 79 matches there have ended in a home win when Newcastle have visited. The Magpies have managed just a 22% win record on trips to City. It was the Blues who won both meetings between the two last season, picking up a 201 home win. In fact, City have won seven of the last nine against Newcastle, the other two being draws. So with no win in nine over City, Newcastle really need to break a bad run of form here, and perhaps with their defence going so well, this will be the season? Newcastle last win came at home in the Premier League back in the 2005/06 season.

Online Bookmaker Promotion: Think it is quite wise to look at Goalscorer promotions for this one with the likes of Aguero, Dzeko and Ba on the pitch. Online bookmaker Boylesports are offering First Goalscorer Cash back on the market for this match. Back a player in the First Goalscorer market, and if they fail to open the scoring, but do net the second goal of the match, then you will get your lost First Goalscorer stake refunded as a free bet. New customers to Boylesports can get a free £20 bet as well as a sign up bonus. The bookie will match the value of your first bet on a new account, up to the value of £20, giving you some good free betting cash to play with! With good options such as Dzeko at 3/1, and Aguero and Balotelli at 10/4 there’s great value in the First Goalscorer market with this Boylesports promotion.

http://www.online-betting.me.uk/links/

Saturday 5^th February

English Premier League

Newcastle United v Arsenal

Newcastle United face Arsenal in their first home match since the close of the transfer window and sale of Andy Carroll to Liverpool.

Whichever story you believe regarding the sale of Andy Carroll for an astonishing £35m to Liverpool, there is one thing that is undeniable, Newcastle have lost their top scorer and best player without replacing him. With this being the case, they must face up to the challenge of remaining in the Premier League despite looking pretty comfortable for much of the season. Wednesday’s match away to Fulham highlighted the lack of quality they now have, especially upfront. They rarely threatened the home side and although they lost by a solitary goal, there was little to worry Fulham; the same cannot be said for Alan Pardew however. The current Newcastle manager was a pretty unpopular choice when replacing Chris Houghton, now with everything else that has gone on, you have to wonder what the reaction of the fans will be if the Toon Army have a poor run of results.

Arsenal had to come from behind to beat Everton during the week and sustain their title charge. All Arsene Wenger’s men can do is continue to win and hope that Manchester United drop points. Having won their last six in all competitions, the Gunners are throwing together a good run of form at just the right time. It’s no coincidence that their results have become more consistent with the presence of their captain, Cesc Fabregas. The little Spaniard is the heartbeat of the Arsenal team and makes them tick. His passing ability, retention of the ball and late surges into the box are key to how the whole team performs as he provides much more options and a fluency that benefits other players in the side, especially Robin Van Persie.  One big difference to this season compared to recent ones, is Arsenal’s resiliency, especially away from home. Only United and Chelsea have defeated the Gunners on their travels which is a stark contrast to previous years where their vulnerability has come to the fore at grounds such as the Reebok, Ewood Park and the Britannia.

Shola Ameobi went off early on in the match at Craven Cottage on Wednesday and his absence has reduced, even further, the options available for Pardew up top. Kevin Nolan may be asked to play in a more advanced role which he is perfectly able to do so and has done so in great effect already this season. Stephen Ireland, signed on loan from Aston Villa, will again miss out due to injury but one bit of good news for Pardew is the return of Cheik Tiote who is a combative midfielder that will relish the chance of shackling the visitor’s midfield.

One player missing from Arsenal is Samir Nasri who will miss the next fortnight or so. Due to the goals he has scored this season and the chances he creates for others, it will be interesting to see how they get on without him. Andrei Arshavin will come into the side and will be hoping that his goal against Everton on Tuesday will be the catalyst to kick-start his season as it’s been a little disappointing.  

Arsenal have won on their last two visits to St James’ and everything looks stacked in their favour to complete the hat-trick. With the gap at five points between them and Man United at the top, another win is essential and it’s one I’m confident they’ll get.

My Selection: Arsenal to beat Newcastle United

Best odds available: 7/10 available with PaddyPower

English Championship

Millwall v Doncaster Rovers

Millwall will be desperate for all three points against Doncaster at the New Den tomorrow as they pursue a playoff spot.

Kenny Jackett must be well pleased with how his side have adapted to life in the Championship after winning promotion last season. Despite a sticky spell towards the end of last year, the Lions are just four points off sixth position. It’s testament to the hard work and team spirit that Jackett has instilled in the club as the turnover of players from last season to this has been minimal. Their home form is especially strong, as you come to expect from Millwall, with eight win and three draws from their 14 matches at the New Den. They have won their last five home matches in the league with an aggregate score of 12-1. It’s excellent form and highlights just how hard it is to leave the daunting stadium with anything. Their top scorer Steve Morison has been finding the net with regularity this season and goes into tomorrow’s match with 11 league goals including two in his last four but he will be missing on Saturday which could prove crucial to the outcome of the match.

Doncaster have slipped a little of late after an excellent start to the season. Tuesday’s victory over Burnley was their first win in five after suffering four straight defeats in all competitions. It’s meant that any small chance they had for challenging for a playoff spot have all but disappeared. They should have enough to avoid being drawn into the relegation scrap as they are currently 10 points clear. Another concern for their manager, Sean O’Driscoll, is their lack of points on the road. With only 12 points from a possible 39, and without a win in their last five on the road, tomorrow’s trip to the New Den is probably not what they would have wanted. Billy Sharp has 12 goals already this season and has a better strike record than one in two. He is a real goal threat and is pivotal to the success of Rovers.

These sides met at the Keepmoat Stadium with Donny coming out on top in a 2-1 victory. If they are to repeat that victory then they need to be able to stand up to the physical nature of Millwall’s style and the intimidating atmosphere of the New Den. They are perfectly capable of doing so but I just feel with the form the home side are currently in I just fancy them to edge it as they seem to have more motivation to do so.

My Selection: Millwall to beat Doncaster Rovers

Best odds available: 10/11 available with Victor Chandler

***There will be another preview for Sunday***

Newcastle United v Manchester City Betting Tip & Odds: Well, some interesting Boxing Day stats, are that City have won their last three Boxing Day matches, while Newcastle haven’t won a Boxing Day match in their last eight attempts. One of the most interesting stats though, is that in their last four encounters, City have scored exactly twice in each of them. We smell a Boxing Day trend to jump on here, even though it’s hard to see City scoring two goals in a game (something they have only done twice in their last eight matches). So, instead we turn to Carlos Tevez as he will have to be the man again,  but he enjoys playing Newcastle, with three goals in four matches against them in his career. Worth a crack as Anytime Goalscorer at 11/8 with Coral, but for our tip, there really looks to be little harm in taking Manchester City as 47/20 -1 Asian Handcaip with Bet365 which is just over doubling your money for a City two goal win, and a stake refund for them winning by one goal. This is based on City being a better away team than home team. They score more frequently away from home, and Newcastle concede enough to be edged out.

Newcastle United to win: 12/5 at BetFred
Draw: 12/5 at Boylesports
Manchester City to win: 5/4 at Bet365

EPL Match Preview: This is an interesting match, with new Newcastle boss Alan Pardew, looking to build upon the success of his opening victory over Liverpool. He walked into something of a sticky situation, but Pardew isn’t a man to run from challenges. Controversy and confrontation has followed him everywhere. So, Newcastle are a team, which in sports, are referred to being as “on the bubble”. They really could go either way, as they are hovering in mid table, a not too shabby five points off sixth place. Really is not too bad considering that they are on their return to the Premier League. Apparently it wasn’t good enough to save previous boss Chris Hughton his job though. Newcastle’s season can pretty much be summed up by their last three matches. They held Chelsea to a draw, lost to West Brom and beat Liverpool. There is potential there clearly in the team, but they need to find some more consistency. The biggest problem is finding a way to plug the holes at the bag. There really isn’t much problem with them going forward, not with Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan banging in 18 league goals between them. They just need to find a way of stopping them go in at their own end. A Sunderland type defence and Newcastle are immediately a better team. But would a more defensive Newcastle take something away from their presence. Under Hughton they were not afraid to have a go at other teams.

Newcastle matches are pretty much always entertaining for one reason or another. There is seldom a shortage of goals in their matches anyway. Games this season with Newcastle at home are average 3.33 goals per match, which means the fans at St James part are getting some great entertainment. This is the Newcastle who crushed Sunderland, who beat Arsenal, who held Chelsea and hammered Liverpool. There should be goals in them, but in facing Manchester City they will be facing a much sterner test, and this is why this match should be a great battle. Has Pardew had enough time to really take on one of the big boys. It begs to wonder. By and large, Manchester City’s defence has stood strong all season, and is a large part of their success. City are not a prolific high scoring team like Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United, and in fact have scored two goals less than their Boxing Day opponents in the season so far. The Tevez saga looks to be behind them now, with him having rescinded his transfer request, and now they should settle down. However, and there is always an however with Manchester City or so it seems. The news that Tevez was staying and playing, really was let down by the fact that they went and lost to ten man Everton. That really was a major blow for City in their quest to prove that they are a genuine title contender, so has the Tevez saga, even though it looks to have been smoothed over, caused an irreparable crack in City’s season.

Going to Newcastle to try and get back to winning ways is not going to be an easy one for Manchester City. All too often they have failed to come out of their shell when they have needed it most, and their defence will have a long afternoon trying to stand up to the direct assault from Newcastle striker Andy Carroll. City are still looking like a team of individuals, and they were shown up by the teamwork of Everton on the day. What City need to back up the brilliance they have in their side, is much better teamwork. They rely too much on Tevez for everything up front, and even though Mario Balotelli has been crowned the best youngster in the world, he does not look as if he is really up for the rugged hard work that is needed in the Premier League. Comparing yourself, as Balotelli did, to being almost as good as Lionel Messi really needs some backing up. He’s a long, long way from that. City have not shown a great penchant for attack all season, and that has ultimately let them down. They do get back midfielder Nigel de Jong, which really only stifles them more in the middle of the part. Heading to the North East hasn’t been too successful for Manchester City, having won just one of their last six matches against Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesborough combined. They have not won on their last four visits to the north east, and this has every potential of being another miserable day for Mancini. Two points off leaders Manchester United, and their rivals have two games in hand over City. The damage may really have already been done. However, on the scale of things, would edge City to come out of this with a win. They need to.

Online Bookmaker Promotion: Doesn’t happen very often with Newcastle, but if this match happens to end up as a 0-0 score line, then Stan James will refund all lost bets placed pre-match on any goalscorer markets. This is great coverage really, and even though you have the likes of Carlos Tevez, David Silva, Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan on the pitch, if City’s defence holds firm, while misfiring up front, this money back special from Stan James makes good sense. There is a free £25 bet awaiting new customers when opening a new account.

Newcastle United v Manchester City Premier League Betting Statistics

Last 5 Head to Head
Manchester City 2, Newcastle United 1
Manchester City 2, Newcastle United 1
Newcastle United 2, Manchester City 2
Newcastle United 0, Manchester City 2
Manchester City 3, Newcastle United 1

Newcastle United have an 33% win percentage at home in the league this season
Manchester City have a 56% win percentage away from home in the league this season

Newcastle United are on a streak of 3 home matches with no defeat
Manchester City are on a streak of four away matches with no defeat

Newcastle United have scored 19 goals, and conceded 11 at home
Manchester City have scored 16 and conceded 8 goals in their away matches

Newcastle United average 2.1 goals per match at home this season
Manchester City average 1.7 goals per match away from home this season

Newcastle United have scored the bulk of their goals in the 31-45 minute bracket
Manchester City have scored the majority of their goals in the 61-75 minute bracket

Newcastle United have opened the scoring in 41% of their matches
Manchester City have scored first in 61% of their matches

Newcastle United 2010/11 top scorer: Carroll, 10
Manchester City 2010/11 top scorer: Tevez, 10

2010/11 Season Form: P17 W6 D4 L7 GF27 GA26 Pts 22 (8th)
Manchester City 2010/11 Season Form: P18 W9 D5 L4 GF25 GA15 Pts 32 (3rd)

The current Premier League relegation market looks pretty straightforward. West Ham are on their way down and are likely to be joined by Wolves and Wigan, both of whom are also odds-on to be playing Championship football next season.

Case closed? You have to be kidding if previous seasons have taught us anything. The race for survival carries more twists and turns than a Dan Brown novel and it’s fair to say that at least nine teams can be relegated from the Premier League and that’s discounting Aston Villa (12/1 bet365), Stoke City (20/1 William Hill) and Everton (33/1 William Hill).

West Ham are clearly in trouble and it’s something of a surprise to find Avram Grant still in a position at Upton Park. It’s getting pretty critical for the Hammers in terms of a points shortage, with bet365 now offering a best price 1/2 that the east London team fail to make it out of the bottom three come the end of the season.

Not that people will be wading in at that price considering they will have five months to wait for any profit, although there could be some merit in the 10/1 with Blue Square that Blackburn Rovers pay the price for a strange decision this week.

The Lancashire club have recently been taken over by a company called Venky’s, an Indian firm that specialises in chicken. However, there was nothing cowardly about their decision to depose Sam Allardyce as manager, although Harry Redknapp is among those who thinks that the sacking could end in tears.

Perhaps we will only start to see how good a job Allardyce was doing over the next few weeks and months, with Blackburn’s game against West Ham on Saturday being an opportunity for the Hammers to break their duck on the road and haul their opponents into a relegation scrap.

Wolves’ 1-0 win over Birmingham last Sunday means that they are within touching distance of safety and you sense that there’s a great team spirit at Molineux, something which helped them stay in the Premier League last season. Skybet offer odds of 10/11 for those that think a lack of quality will ultimately be their downfall and they have a big match coming up on Sunday.

West Brom have an opportunity to plunge their rivals into deeper trouble and it’s amazing that the Baggies are now as big as 7/1 (bet365) to be relegated considering they were odds-on at the start of the season. 22 points from 17 matches is a decent return and they are six better off than lowly Wigan, who have to be on anyone’s shortlist for the drop.

The Latics weren’t far away from danger last term and just three victories from seventeen this term have the alarm bells ringing. The bookies have 8/11 (William Hill) that Roberto Martinez’s team are playing Championship football next season.

Blackpool have looked anything but relegation candidates this season and they continue to prove they are no flash in the pan after a hard-earned 1-0 win at Stoke last weekend. Many people’s certainties to be relegated have 22 points from 16 games, an average which will be more than enough to keep them afloat. The Tangerines are 7/4 (William Hill) to go down.

Newcastle United v Liverpool Betting Tip & Odds: This should all come down to Andy Carroll v Fernando Torres. Who will take their chances and perhaps the biggest question of all, is how will the Newcastle players respond to the appointment of Alan Pardew as manager? Pardew may have his work cut out in winning over the dressing room, after the unpopular decision on Tyneside to ditch Chris Hughton. Well, this is a prime Asian Handicap market, as it is hard to see Newcastle really having enough cohesion for ninety minutes to beat Liverpool. Newcastle, poor at home. Liverpool, poor away from home. Expecting something of a disjointed display here which leans heavily towards a draw. There have been plenty of goals in this fixture down the years and seeing Newcastle battering the Liverpool defence isn’t too far of a stretch, so not having hesitation in taking a brave Newcastle +0.75 Asian Handicap for 11/20 at Bet365. That’s half of your stake back as profit, so not a bad return on a match which the bookies are leaning towards a draw on themselves.

Newcastle United to win: 11/4 at SkyBet
Draw: 12/5 at SkyBet
Liverpool to win: 23/20 at 888Sport

Newcastle v Liverpool EPL Match Preview: It looks as if it will be a fresh start for Newcastle after the dismissal of boss Chris Hughton in the week. The club wanted someone with a little more experience to take them forward, so that they not only survive in the Premier League, but they thrive. So, strangely they turned to Alan Pardew for that, the former West Ham manager whose career is littered with controversies and unspectacular league finishes. There were certainly more experience and proven hands available, and perhaps the “mad” decision which this has been dubbed, really is up Pardew’s street. He’s not one to back down from a difficult challenge, or to back down from speaking his mind. Pardew seems to be fully aware of what he is getting into and is ready for the pressure. Sacked from West Ham, left Charlton Athletic by mutual consent and dismissed by Southampton. In a poll done by Sky Sports as to who Newcastle fans wanted to be next manager, Pardew earned just 5% of the votes and now has to stand in front of a fierce Toon Army week in week out, who will demand success from him. So this is where Newcastle are at, and Pardew needs to make an immediate impact because he needs to stops the Toon from extending their five match winless skid in the Premier League. A run of form, which ultimately sealed the fate of Chris Hughton. Will the “new manager impact” play a part in your football betting for Saturday’s match against Liverpool?

Pardew steps in against Liverpool, the side which cruelly denied his West Ham side victory in the FA Cup final in 2006. Liverpool was the side against which he faced in his last Premier League match in the 2006/07 season. That was with the relegated Charlton. Newcastle are sitting 12th in the Premier League at the moment, and really need a win so that they do not slip back any further. They haven’t been shy in front of goal, but they really haven’t learnt how to keep things tight at the back either, which as been their downfall. It will probably be so again on Saturday, when Liverpool come to town, as Liverpool have a decent record against the Magpies of late. In fact, Newcastle have been on the wrong end of some thumpings by the Reds in their last four Premier League matches. Newcastle have hit just one goal in reply to Liverpool’s 14 goals against them. That totals up to four matches where the Magpies defence has conceded three or more goals against Liverpool. That doesn’t make such good reading for the home fans on Saturday, but in fact, Newcastle really have a decent record against the Reds at St James Park. Newcastle have a 42% winning percentage in matches against Liverpool at home, with the visitors picking up 29% and the draw ending 29% of the time also. The draw actually is worth a bet for this one, and that prediction lies in the fact that Newcastle have not picked up many points at home, and Liverpool, by and large, have not done very well on the road this season.

Seven wins out of the last eight Premier League matches now for Liverpool against Newcastle. There is a definite trend going on here. Liverpool scored an impressive 3-0 win over Aston Villa in the week, to push themselves up towards a top six place. It has been slow going for the Reds, but they look to be on the right path. That is what boss Roy Hodgson does, he fixes things, pulls together the pieces of clubs in desperate need and pulls them into mediocrity. That is where Liverpool are at the moment, and having won just one away match all season, really shows the problems with Liverpool. When things are going OK, then they can pull through, especially in front of their home fans, but hit the road and they just have not got that battling edge in them which will grind out enough successes away from home for them. They do get Fernando Torres back into the starting line up (13/10 at Coral Anytime Goalscorer), which will naturally be a boost, and this match will probably be about which striker is in better touch on the day. Neither defence is spectacular, but somehow you still feel that Newcastle would have the better of things up front at home. Matches involving Newcastle United at home average well over three goals per game this season, and matches involving Liverpool away from home average over 2 goals per game. That leaves a lot of room for plenty of goals on Saturday, so can Liverpool turn in another good performance without Steven Gerrard? It’s not happened away from home very much this season.

Ryan Babel may be the unsung hero for Liverpool, and may be worth an outside punt in an Anytime Goalscorer market (3/1 at Extrabet). He has scored in his previous two visits to St James Park, so worth looking out for. Two wins out of their last seventeen away matches for Liverpool now in the Premier League. It doesn’t look good, but you would expect Liverpool to be the favourites here. However, if this game comes down to attitude, Newcastle will win. If it comes down to desire, Newcastle will win. If Newcastle don’t play with pace or to the strengths of Andy Carroll, they probably won’t win. Would Liverpool be satisfied with a point away from home? Probably at this stage yes, having suffered two straight defeats away from Anfield this season. Liverpool should be the better team, the only question is over their ability to out work Newcastle and that will only come into play if Newcastle get behind their new manager immediately. Weighing up everything, there really is a feeling of a draw at St James Park, and one which one of the sides will be happy to come away with at the end of the day. The physical presence of Andy Carroll should be a huge factor in it all and is 2/1 at Coral to find the back of the net as Anytime Goalscorer. A lot of uncertainties, which probably means a draw is on the cards.

Newcastle United v Liverpool Premier League Betting Statistics

Last 5 Head to Head
Liverpool 3, Newcastle United 0
Newcastle United 1, Liverpool 5
Liverpool 3, Newcastle United 0
Newcastle United 0, Liverpool 3
Newcastle United 2, Liverpool 1

Newcastle United have an 25% win percentage at home in the league this season
Liverpool have a 12% win percentage away from home in the league this season

Newcastle United are on a streak of three home matches with no win
Liverpool are on a streak of three away matches with no win

Newcastle United have scored 16 goals, and conceded 10 at home
Liverpool have scored 5 and conceded 13 goals in their away matches

Newcastle United average 2 goals per match at home this season
Liverpool average 0.62 goal per match away from home this season

Newcastle United have scored the bulk of their goals in the 31-45 minute bracket
Liverpool have scored the majority of their goals in the 46-60 minute bracket

Newcastle United have opened the scoring in 27% of their matches
Liverpool have scored first in 62% of their matches

Newcastle United 2010/11 top scorer: Carroll, 9
Liverpool 2010/11 top scorer: Torres, 5

Newcastle United 2010/11 Season Form: P16 W5 D4 L7 GF24 GA25 Pts 19 (12th)
Liverpool 2010/11 Season Form: P16 W6 D4 L6 GF20 GA19 Pts 22 (8th)

Saturday 26^th December

English Premier League

Sunderland v Everton

David Moyes takes his Everton side, on a run of 3 successive league draws, to the Stadium of Light to take on a Sunderland side who haven’t won since their impressive victory over Arsenal back in November.

Steve Bruce’s summer arrival, alongside some big investment from a new chairman, brought increased expectation to the North-east club. Things looked to be heading in the right direction with star signing Darren Bent scoring goals aplenty, excellent results over Liverpool, Manchester United and the aforementioned Arsenal game, as well as sell-out crowds for home matches. The past month or so however, has not been as positive. They have lost four out of 5 with their only respite coming against bottom dogs Portsmouth in a 1-1 draw at home. This dip in form may have coincided with the injury to Lee Cattermole. The energetic midfielder was a key player in the early part of the season for Bruce’s side and was pivotal to their style of play, especially at home where they rely on their midfielders getting close to the opposition and stifling their creative players. He has recently returned to the starting line-up but even his inclusion on Saturday couldn’t prevent Sunderland from slipping to another defeat away to Man City. Sunderland also look to be missing Craig Gordon. The influential Scottish goalkeeper broke his arm against Spurs at White Hart Lane in November and since his absence from the side, the team has shipped 9 goals in 6 matches, keeping only one clean sheet in process.

Everton have had a poor first half to the season by their own high standards set in previous seasons. Much was  expected from Moyes side after finishing 5^th last season and with the influx of players such as Johnny Heitinga, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Sylvain Distin. These signings were coupled with the retention of Brazilian striker Jo on loan for another season and the impending return of Yakubu from a long term injury. Despite all this, they find themselves at the wrong end of the table, a mere 3 points off 18^th place. A lot of this has been down to horrendous injuries to key players which has meant that Moyes has had to chop and change for much of the season. For much of the season they lacked a creative spark in the middle of the park with both Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar missing most of the season. The latter is now back fit and has played in the last 3 league matches which has saw a dramatic improvement in terms of chances made and goals scored. They have managed 6 in 3 games, gaining draws in all of these matches against 3 sides in top form. Draws with Birmingham, Chelsea and Spurs may just be what they need to kick-start their season.

It could be argued that this match is destined to end in a draw as both sides have only won one game apiece in their last nine fixtures. I believe Everton are gathering a bit of momentum however and with their injuries beginning to clear and key personnel playing more regularly they are due a victory. They have had a tough run of fixtures of late yet are unbeaten in 3. An away match over the Christmas period is right up Davie Moyes’ alley. They defeated Middlesbrough last Boxing day at the Riverside and I firmly believe they are capable of returning from the North East with 3 points once again. Everton have also won on their last 4 visits to the Stadium of Light.

My selection: Everton to beat Sunderland

Best odds available: 11/5 available with Victor Chandler

English Championship

Sheffield Wednesday v Newcastle United (12.45)

A meeting of two sides who are experiencing completely different fortunes at this moment in time as league leaders Newcastle make a short trip to the steel city to take on beleaguered Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Sheffield Wednesday are currently in the process of looking for a new manager after sacking Brian Laws earlier this month. His removal as manager has not done much to the performances on the park as the Owl’s were comfortably beaten on Saturday by Swansea at home. There seems to be a real lack of quality at the club at the moment which is surprising considering the heroes the Wednesday fans used to have not so long ago. There doesn’t seem to be anyone willing to take responsibility on the field which is a sad indictment for such an illustrious and successful club. As well as a lack of genuine quality at the club, there is immense fear and the confidence must be at an all time low. They have not won a match since October, lost their last 6 in the league and currently sit 3^rd bottom. It’s an unenviable task facing the new manager whoever it may be.

Newcastle on the other hand are absolutely flying at the minute. Chris Houghton’s men have stretched their lead to 10 points at the top of the table and are currently on a run of 9 games unbeaten, a run in which they have won 8. They are proving to be far too good for most of the other teams in the league and it may even be a record points haul if they continue in their current form. Key to their success this season has been Kevin Nolan. The former Bolton captain has been a rock in centre of midfield and has also popped up with vital goals in games which the Magpies have not been playing well. He has an influence in the team which gets the most out of players around him. He’s the clubs top scorer with 9 and has been a virtual ever present, missing just the two games all season. The midfield in general is extremely strong with Jonas Gutierrez (an Argentine regular), Alan Smith and Danny Guthrie all comfortably capable of playing in the Premier League. Upfront they are beginning to get it right as well with the return of Shola Ameobi back from injury and scoring at the weekend. His partnership with Marlon Harewood, although not the most prolific, will be troublesome for teams in the division as they never stop all game and will create plenty of space for the midfield to take advantage of.

  It’s one of these games which looks cut and dried and although football is never cut and dry, this is probably one of the closest you’ll get. I can’t see many sides stopping the Geordie Juggernaut the way they are going and I especially can’t see hapless Wednesday doing it. Newcastle are a standout 5/6 with Victor Chandler.

My selection: Newcastle to beat Sheffield Wednesday

Best odds available: 5/6 available with Victor Chandler

Scottish Premier League

Celtic v Hamilton

Celtic look to put the disappointment of their weekend loss to Hearts behind them when they welcome Billy Reid’s Hamilton to Parkhead on Boxing Day.

I previewed the trip to Tynecastle on my last blog so there’s nothing much new to report. Celtic still suffer from the same old failings at the back whilst they are still creating a plethora of chances at the other end but failing to take the majority of them. Another calamitous lapse in concentration from a central defender, this time Glenn Loovens, resulted in a penalty and a red card for fellow centre half, Gary Caldwell. Despite being down to 10 men for much of the game, Celtic were still way ahead in terms of quality, creating chances and playing the better football. It’s difficult to stress how far ahead they are of the likes of Hearts, Dundee United and Motherwell, especially when the results are so close and when they drop points to these teams but the crux of the matter is they are a lot, lot better than these kind of teams, well they are going forward. There is a lack of leadership at the back and players are not taking responsibility for their actions, especially at cross balls.

Hamilton never played at the weekend due to the blizzards on the West coast on Saturday so will be eager to go. They are coming into this match having won their last two and with only one defeat in their last 6 so confidence should be high. Reid has found a settled team for the first time this season in the last couple of months which has helped dramatically, especially in midfield. Captain Alex Neil has made a big difference on his return from injury whilst the two James’, MacArthur and Wesolowski have struck up a good partnership just infront him Neil.  It will come as no surprise to note that Billy Reid’s men will come to Parkhead to try and frustrate Celtic with a strict 4-5-1 formation with little adventure likely. Their plan will be to keep it tight until half time and get the home fans on their hero’s backs.

Celtic have won every meeting between these sides since Hamilton’s promotion last season. Their matches at New Douglas Park have been far closer than the ones at Parkhead. Hamilton’s last two visits to the East End of Glasgow have witnessed two comfortable 4-0 wins for the home side and I do not envisage anything different come Saturday. Celtic have created a barrow load of chances in nearly all of their matches under Mowbray and it really is a matter of time before they win by 5, 6 or 7. They are 4 points and 9 goals worse off than top of the table Rangers so know that Saturday is a perfect chance to go about mending those differences.

My selections: Celtic (-2) to beat Hamilton at a best priced 13/8 with Skybet

Celtic to win both halves at a best priced 6/4 with Skybet

Marc Antoine Fortune to score anytime and Celtic to win at a best priced 11/8 with Boylesports

Saturday 28^th November

English Premier League

Fulham v Bolton Wanderers

Fulham play their 3^rd match in 7 days when they come up against Gary Megson’s Bolton Wanderers who will be determined to halt their recent run of bad form having lost their last 3 matches in the league.

Roy Hodgson’s charges have had a hectic season to date having already played 22 games in all competitions thanks to their involvement in the Europa League. They have also had to contend with key personnel being injured with the likes of Danny Murphy, Andy Johnson and Diomansay Kamara missing large chunks of the season to date. All that considered, they are in decent enough shape in the league at the moment as they currently sit in 10^th position, 4 points off of 5^th place. They have gathered most of their points at Craven Cottage, amassing 4 wins from 6 matches. They have defeated the likes of Liverpool, Everton and most recently triumphed over Blackburn in midweek. Their only two defeats at the Cottage this term have been against Arsenal and Chelsea which is no disgrace at all. Hodgson has turned their home ground into something of a fortress and any visitor knows they’ll have to be at the top of their game to come away with anything.

Bolton, after a decent run of form at the end of September and beginning of October have started to slide down the table. Currently in 18^th position, they have conceded 11 in their last 3 matches, scoring just once and gaining zero points. Their latest match against Blackburn was arguably the poorest of their season thus far as they never looked capable of getting much from the game from the first few minutes. Rovers, who were searching for their first away win of the season, dominated large parts of the game and as soon as they opened the scoring they never looked in any real danger. One of Bolton’s problems is the main striker position. They have tried several players in the position but no-one has made it their own and this results in a lack of fluency going forward. Unfortunately for Megson and his side, the other main problem is that they give the opposition too many chances throughout the 90 minutes making them more likely to concede. It’s not often a trait you associate with Gary Megson’s side’s, they are normally hard to beat and stubborn but this season they have shipped 26 goals in 12 games, which equates to more than two goals a game.

Despite key injuries in the last 3^rd of the part for the Cottagers, they still have a lot of options available for Saturday and good ones at that. Erik Nevland and Clint Dempsey both got on the scoresheet on Wednesday night against Rovers so they have staked their claim ahead of Saturday’s match. Hodgson also has the likes of Damien Duff, Jonathan Greening and Zoltan Gera whilst Johnson should be fit enough for the bench on his comeback from injury. Duff and Dempsey especially will cause immense problems for most teams in the league so Bolton’s porous defence will be under pressure from the off. Their movement and ability to make telling contributions at vital stages of the game is crucial to Fulham’s style of play and with a predator like Nevland lurking, they are liable to score goals from the first minute to the last.

Bolton have actually won more games on the road this season than they have at home which is surprising considering the amount of teams which used to struggle at the Reebok. Their wins, however, have come against Birmingham and Portsmouth who, no disrespect, are not as potent at home as Fulham are.

Fulham have had the better of this fixture in recent years having won 3 of the last 4 meetings at the Cottage in the league. Bolton just give too many chances away for my liking and I think the home side’s attacking players will be too much for the visitors.

My selection: Fulham to beat Bolton Wanderers

Best price available: 10/11 available with several bookmakers including Coral

English Championship

Newcastle v Swansea

First versus fourth at St James’ Park on Saturday as Paulo Sousa and his Swansea side travel north to take on league leaders Newcastle who are still unbeaten at home this season.

Newcastle have dusted themselves down and got on with the job at hand after their relegation at the end of last season. They have managed to retain most of their squad with a couple of exceptions but look all the better for it. Chris Houghton has been appointed as manager until the end of the season and this has had a massive, positive effect on the club and its players. One of the most noticeable things about Newcastle this season is they don’t have that one superstar in their team this season that they have had in the last decade or so. It used to be Alan Shearer for so long and he passed the torch to the injury ravaged Michael Owen. Nowadays, they are much more of a team and unit.

Swansea City, after a pretty slow start under their new manager, have rejuvenated their season with a run of 11 games unbeaten in the league which has propelled them right up the table. Sousa has built from the back and made them stuffy, resilient and hard to score against. They currently have the 2^nd best defensive record (Newcastle have the best) conceding just 12 goals. Their defence on the road is the best, losing just 5 goals in 8 games. Scoring goals has proved problematic however as they are the lowest scorers in the division with Craig Beattie their top scorer on a measly 3 strikes.

Watching Newcastle on Monday night away to Preston was interesting due to the fact that it was almost inevitable that they were going to win the game no matter how much North End threw at them, you always felt United would nick a goal and take all 3 points. It of course did happen and proves yet again that the better teams in the division win games despite not playing all that well. They will create chances at home and have proven even harder to beat at St James’ with 6 wins and 2 draws from 8 games.

I can’t see the game being pretty or having a plethora of goals (cue a 3-3 draw) with such good defences on show. I can, however, see the home side creating a couple of really good opportunities and taking at least one of them such is the form they’re on at the moment. Swansea, I feel, will have to score to get something from the match, at least once, which I think is debatable given their poor scoring record. As a result I think Newcastle will take all 3 points and strengthen their position at the top of the league.

My selection: Newcastle to beat Swansea

Best price available: 5/6 available with Bet365

English Championship

Sheffield Wednesday v West Brom

Sheffield Wednesday, searching for their first win in 6, look to have it all to do against 2^nd placed West Bromwich Albion at Hillsborough.

I tipped against Wednesday last week when opting to go for Ipswich, and but for a masterclass in goalkeeping by Lee Grant, I would have been right. As it was, the keeper had a day out and saved his side, earning a good point in the process. Their home record is better than their form on the road so their fans will be expecting them to be more threatening and adventurous on Saturday. They have already defeated Coventry, Cardiff and Scunthorpe on their own patch this season but they’ll be up against one of, if not the best, side in the Championship when West Brom come calling.

Roberto Di Matteo has fitted in really well with WBA’s footballing philosophy since joining as Manager from MK Dons in July. His side play the best football in the division and have proved too much for so many teams already this season. They are currently the highest scorers in the division, averaging more than two goals a game. They have lost the one game in their last 7, a run which has included thumping wins against Watford and Bristol City and an excellent away victory over Leicester City.

Simon Cox has taken a while to get fully fit after an injury at the start of the season but the £2m signing from Swindon is beginning to find his feet leading the line for the Baggies. Cox has scored twice in his last 3 matches and will fancy of notching against Wednesday who have shipped 4 goals in their last two home games. Cox doesn’t just bring goals to the team, his overall play has made a big difference to West Brom who at times lacked a potent attacking threat up top.

West Brom have brushed aside better teams than Sheffield Wednesday already this season and I for one can’t see Brian Laws’ men getting anything from Saturday’s match. This one is easy enough for me anyway, away win.

My selection: West Brom to beat Sheffield Wednesday

Best odds available: 23/20 available with 888Sport

Good luck and happy punting

The end of the war in ’45 saw the resumption of competitive football in the form of the F.A. Cup.

During hostilities the league set-up was two "first divisions", North and South and lesser regional leagues. On this occasion the two finalists were both from the Southern Section, Charlton Athletic and Derby County. 98,000 saw they game which went into extra time, but not without a couple of "firsts". Jacky Stamp, (Derby centre forward), shot for goal only for the ball to burst in mid-air. Just as it had done in a regional league game between the same sides the previous week.

First blood went to Derby when Charlton’s left half Bert Turner put thru’ his own. Almost immediately Charlton went on the attack and Turner equalised. The first person to get on both score sheets in an F.A. Cup Final.The  game went to extra-time, for only the second time at Wembley. Derby went on to win 4 – 1.Charlton gained their revenge next season. beating second division Burnley 1 – 0 in extra-time.

No team dominated in the early years after ’45 until Newcastle won 3 times between ’51 and ’55. In amongst these successes was the MATTHEWS FINAL. Bolton lead 3 –1 with some 22 mins remaining. Matthews completed one of his dazzling runs with a cross for Mortenson to score his and the teams second goal. Mortenson went on to score the only Cup Final hat-trick at the old stadium.

The next outstanding happening was in the 55/56 final,  when City, having lost the previous year, beat Birmingham 3 – 1. With their goalkeeper, Bert Trautman playing for the last 20 mins with a broken neck.The club doctor stated that the slightest jolt to the neck could have paralysed if not killed him. I watched that game on T V and Trautman was awesome.

Two years later Man Utd lost to Bolton Wanderers. This was three months after the Munich disaster. United were allowed to sign players who had already played in that seasons cup games. The only time it has been allowed. Not surprisingly Bolton ran out 2 – 0 winners. United’s second consecutive Cup final defeat. They made amends beating Leicester City 3 -1 in 62/63.

The sixties really belonged to ‘Spurs with a double success in 60/61 and 61/62. Follwed by a third in  66/67.

The 64/65 final would add a new name to the trophy now matter who had won. It turned out to be one of Liverpool‘s numerous successes. Leeds had to wait until 71/72 for their first ever Cup Final win. The following season when they attempted to retain the trophy, they were surpisingly beaten by a Porterfield goal for Sunderland.
No one team dominated during the Seventies, and the start of the Eighties saw three years of replays. ‘Spurs winning the first two of these for yet another double final success.

Everton won in 83/84 and were beaten in each of the following two seasons. The second of which saw the first ever Merseyside Derby Final. Repeated three seasons later, when Liverpool  also repeated their victory. The shock of the decade came in 87/88 when WIMBLEDON beat all the odds and Liverpool by a single goal.
‘Spurs saw in the next decade with a 2 – 1 defeat of Notts Forest.

The next nineteen years have been a virtual monopoly fo the "BIG FOUR". Only twice has an "outsider" won the Cup. Everton 94/95 and last year Portsmouth were successful.

When the F.A. Cup is mentioned the thoughts often tend to wander to the few clubs who have also achieved the Cup and League Double. With some hundred and twenty finals decided only six teams have achieved the Double. Preston, Aston Villa, ‘Spurs and Liverpool have one success each Whilst Arsenal and Man. Utd have three each.

The spread of these successes shows no pattern whatsoever. Two between 1889 and 1897 then a blank until 1961. A ten year gap to the next and then another barren spell until 1986.Then there was a fistful (four) between 1994 and 1999. The last occasion was 2002.

Although the "Big Four" appear to have most things their own way, none seems to be able to really dominate as Man. Utd did in the nineties.

Aston Villa V Newcastle United – Sunday 16:00

This fixture will undoubtedly attract a fair few neutral spectators as two sides with only winning the game in mind go head-to-head at Villa Park this Sunday afternoon. Although Aston Villa would love to secure a fifth place finish, the pressure to win will firmly rest on the shoulders of Newcastle and more importantly, on Alan Shearer. The Magpies recent defeat against Fulham has seen their bid for survival hang by a thread and this will be the biggest Premiership fixture in Newcastle’s history. This is certainly a game you cannot afford to miss and it’s live on SkySports this Sunday.

Both Martin O’Neill and David Moyes have expressed their feelings about how much they want to finish in fifth position and only a win will do for Villa with Everton’s win over the weekend pushing them above Villa into fifth. Although the arrival of a battling Newcastle side may bring about a lot of market support for the away side, we actually think Villa have a decent shout of nailing down all three points in this fixture. O’Neill’s side shown us all at the weekend when they travelled to The Riverside that they could carve out opportunity’s and if they more clinical in the final third, could of won at a cantor. They will certainly get several chances in this fixture and providing Agbonlahor and John Carew get their shooting boots on, Villa should enjoy themselves in front of the Newcastle goal.

To say this fixture is big for Newcastle would be a massive understatement. It literally is make or break for the club on Tyneside. Defeat at Villa Park could potentially destroy a club who were once striving for Premiership success. The most daunting factor about this fixture is that the Newcastle team could produce the performance of their lives and still not survive the drop. Their home defeat at the hands of Fulham last Saturday meant Newcastle now have no control over their fate. Even if they were to smash Villa off the park, which is highly unlikely. They would still need Manchester United to do them a favour against Hull City at The KC stadium. Alan Shearer can ill-afford to let that thought slip into his players minds though and he must ensure that his squad do their part in order to leave themselves with some sort of chance of avoiding the chop.

This fixture has so much riding on it that i find it hard to justify anyone’s decision to go lumping on either side. Newcastle desperately want and need all three points but their performances of late would indicate that they have no chance. For Shearer’s sake i will be a proud member of the ‘Toon Army’ but I’m not too optimistic. I would be surprised if Villa didn’t breach Steve Harper’s goal and while i do want Newcastle to win, i’ll play kinda safe by backing each side to score.

Match Odds –
Aston Villa  6/4 Boylesports     
Draw  5/2 PaddyPower    
Newcastle United  9/5 PaddyPower

SoccerBetting Tip – Both Teams to Score at 4/6 – Bet365