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.
