Newcastle United have been one of the surprise packages of the season but will have their work cut out on Monday night when they travel to the Potteries to take on Stoke City (Stoke 6/5, draw 23/10, Newcastle 5/2 – Match Betting).
Alan Pardew had to deal with the loss of Andy Carroll in January and although he recruited wisely in the summer, there would not have been too many predicting an unbeaten start for the Geordies in the league this deep into the campaign.
Newcastle lost their first match of the season in midweek in the Carling Cup, going down 4-3 to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, although it did take a goal right at the death of extra time to seal the win for Steve Kean’s men.
What may worry punters is the fact that Newcastle left it late to force the extra time, needing two goals deep into stoppage time to level matters against a side that was bottom of the Premier League table at the time.
It was not a second string side fielded by Pardew either so it is hardly the best performance to take to a notoriously difficult place for away teams. This makes Stoke worthy 6/5 favourites to win the match.
Tony Pulis’s men are unbeaten at home in the league, triumphing over Liverpool and Fulham while holding both Chelsea and Manchester United to draws. Meanwhile, Luis Nani’s strike for the champions has been the only goal conceded in the league at the Britannia Stadium.
Liverpool did gain some revenge with a 2-1 win at Stoke in the Carling Cup but the Potters will be up for the challenge on their return to Premier League duty and look value to take all three points.
The North East club have the better head-to-head record with 39 wins to 23, but Stoke have never lost to Monday’s opponents in the Premier League and completed the double over them last season, winning this fixture 4-0.
It may be a bit fanciful to think there might be a repeat scoreline (priced at 66/1) as Pulis’s side has scored just seven goals this season in the Premier League, but the home side should still be too strong on their own patch.
There have been just 22 shots on target from Stoke players this campaign but 71% of their goals have come from set pieces so there could be a big price coming good in the goalscoring markets.
Peter Crouch heads the betting at 11/2 to be First/Last Goalscorer and 3/2 Anytime Goalscorer but their threat from set-piece situations is no secret and the likes of Robert Huth (20/1 First/Last, 11/2 Anytime) and Ryan Shawcross (25/1 and 7/1) offer some real value.
Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.