Tag Archives: Magpies

Toffees can manage Magpies

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Having been guilty of making slow starts to their Premier League campaigns in the past, Everton have looked far more promising this time around and will be looking for another three points when they host Newcastle United on Monday (Everton 4/5, draw 12/5, Newcastle 4/1 Match Betting).

Manager David Moyes will have been disappointed with his side’s last outing, as they were beaten 2-0 at the Hawthorns by West Brom at the start of the month, but that followed wins over Manchester United and Aston Villa in the top flight.

Two players who have been key for the Toffees have been Darren Gibson and Marouane Fellaini and they could both be set for an absence from the starting line-up for two very different reasons.

Gibson, who has featured in all three of Everton’s games in the Premier League so far, is out with a thigh injury which looks set to keep the former United midfielder out for five weeks.

Belgian international Fellaini (6/1 first goalscorer) on the other hand has caused a stir at Goodison Park with the news he might be set to leave the club in the January transfer window.

The midfielder’s recent comments are believed to have angered Moyes, who has admitted he will be able to do little to stop the player leaving next year if a big offer comes in.

However if Fellaini is given the chance to do his talking on the pitch he will form a strong partnership with Nikica Jelavic (11/8 Anytime goalscorer) in a supporting role behind the Croatian marksman.

This game will be about the clinical finishers and Newcastle, who will make the trip to Merseyside looking to secure their first away win of the Premier League campaign, certainly have players who know where the back of the net is.

Papiss Cisse (6/1 first goalscorer) and Demba Ba form one of the most dangerous strike partnerships in the English top flight and they will be causing the Everton defence plenty of problems, in a game which should see goals at either end.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has an ace in the pack with French midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa, who has been an inspiration so far this season and has earned the praise of the Magpies manager this week.

There will be an injury concern for Pardew with Fabricio Coloccini picking up a knock on international duty with Argentina and he will be a loss for the visitors on Monday night.

Both these teams will have similar goals for the end of the Premier League campaign, as they hope to push for an outside chance of finishing in the top four.

This should be an exciting encounter at Goodison Park and with the attacking talent on the field there should be a few goals.

Both these teams would probably settle for a draw on Monday night and they appear to be evenly matched, so it would be no surprise if the points were shared on Merseyside (14/1 2-2 Draw).

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Magpies to nick fourth

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Bet on the Premier LeagueThe 2011-12 Premier League season has been one of the most exciting in recent years. The league title and two relegation places remain up for grabs but there’s also the small matter of who will join Manchester United (4/9 Premier League outright) and Manchester City (7/4 Premier League outright) in next season’s Champions League.

After a difficult start to the campaign, Arsenal appear to be favourites to finish third, having usurped local rivals Tottenham, but the battle for who will claim the final Champions League spot is still finely in the balance, with both Spurs and Chelsea still in with a huge chance of catching fourth-placed Newcastle.

The Magpies (6/4 to finish in the top 4) have been the surprise package this season and have won their last six in the league so do not look as if they’re about to let up going into their last four games.

Key to their success has been the form of midfielder Yohan Cabaye who, after arriving on Tyneside in the summer, has lit up the league and is possibly the signing of the season.

The Frenchman scored twice in his side’s 3-0 win over Stoke on Saturday and his clever passing and eye for goal could see the Magpies qualify for the Champions league for the first time in almost a decade.

However, it will not be easy and in Tottenham and Chelsea they have two teams who have far greater experience of this situation.

For much of the season Spurs (evens top four finish) appeared to be genuine title contenders and kept pace with both Manchester clubs for the majority over the campaign but in the last two months they have gone totally off the boil and, following Saturday’s defeat at QPR, they now sit fifth – three points off the top four.

The north Londoners do have perhaps the easiest run-in of all the teams competing for the Champions League place but also have a number of key injuries and may have to once again settle for Europa League football in 2012-13.

Finally to Chelsea (21/10 top four finish) who, despite their well-documented managerial problems, now look to be back to their old selves since Roberto Di Matteo took over in March. The Italian has overseen somewhat of a transformation in the Blues players and they now have both an FA Cup final and Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona to look forward to.

Di Matteo has done well in rotating his players in recent weeks but they may be found wanting if they have to rely on squad players and, with those important Cup games to come, it may they prove to be too much of a distraction in the top-four race.

All things considered, then, Newcastle should have enough to clinch the final top four spot but its sure to be an exciting end to the season and Chelsea and Spurs will certainly not make it easy for them.

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Magpies to maintain pursuit

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Bet on the Premier LeagueGames are running out for teams at the top and bottom of the Premier League to reach their final destination with top-six places still to be sorted, while Bolton’s two games in hand mean realistically three of six still face the relegation.

And what a game to start the weekend as third-placed Arsenal taking on sixth-placed Chelsea at the Emirates, kick-off 1245, at the end of a week of contrasting fortunes.

The Gunners have done fantastically well to get into this position given the start that they made to the season but failed to strengthen their grip on third after a surprise 2-1 defeat at home to Wigan on Monday night.

Chelsea meanwhile have done quite the opposite, surprising everyone (maybe including themselves) with a 1-0 home win over European champions Barcelona, despite mustering just one shot on target.

That game as well as the second leg of the Champions League semi-final next Tuesday is sure to have a bearing on the London derby this weekend, with plenty of changes expected.

Didier Drogba is definitely ruled out which limits Chelsea’s goalscoring options – Fernando Torres has still to hit anything but the lows at Stamford Bridge – although there is still plenty of quality in the Blues ranks.

Arsenal, who will be without Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun this weekend, have been made Evens favourites in the match betting, but Chelsea’s defensive display in midweek has got to give the side confidence and they can get something from the game (11/4 to win, draw 5/2).

Newcastle can no longer be considered a surprise package, despite still being in the hunt for a Champions League place, and have hit form at just the right time.

The Magpies have won their last five games and are just five points behind Arsenal with a game in hand and will go above Spurs with any kind of positive result on Saturday.

Alan Pardew’s men are 4/6 favourites to take the win, with Stoke priced at 9/2 and the draw at 11/4 – and it is difficult to argue with the prices, given the Potters have not won in seven away games in the Premier League and are the lowest scorers in the division.

Bolton have two games in hand on their relegation rivals but need to rediscover the winning habit after suffering back-to-back defeats without scoring.

However, Swansea’s win over Blackburn all but assured Brendan Rodgers’ side’s survival in the top flight and Bolton’s greater need can see them scrap out a much-need victory (Bolton 23/20, draw 12/5, Swansea 5/2 – Match Betting).

Blackburn Rovers are also in big trouble but they do not have games in hand, while they have hit the wall at precisely the wrong time, suffering five successive defeats.

The match betting has Steve Kean’s men favourites at 11/10 but Norwich have impressed most with their style of football and will be determined to bounce back from a mauling by Manchester City, with the away win and draw both on offer at 5/2.

Wigan have been in fantastic form of late and have to be considered a value bet at 10/3 to record another away win, despite facing a tricky trip to Fulham (5/6 to win, 13/5 the draw).

The Latics have pulled five points clear of the drop zone and they have done it the hard way, winning 2-1 at Liverpool and Arsenal, as well as beating Manchester United 1-0 at home along with a 2-0 success over Stoke.

It really should have been more for Wigan as well as Chelsea only just triumphed 2-1 courtesy of two offside goals so they will be full of confidence heading to Craven Cottage.

Aston Villa are not out of the woods yet and still need a win or two to secure survival but they are in a dire run of form – not helped by a long list of key absentees.

The Villans have only managed four home wins all season but take on a Sunderland side that has gone off the boil with a five-game winless run and can take at least a point from the tie (Villa 13/10, draw 12/5, Sunderland 21/10 – Match Betting), while a goal-less draw is tempting at 15/2.

The last thing Spurs needed right now was another London derby, particularly against a side in a relegation scrap that has started to make its home a fortress.

QPR are just two points clear of the drop zone but know that Bolton below them have two games in hand and are desperate to get more points on the board.

Rangers have beaten Liverpool, Arsenal and Swansea in their last three matches at Loftus Road and are surely worth considering at 3/1 to add the scalp of a Spurs team whose season is starting to unravel.

Harry Redknapp’s men are desperate for points themselves to maintain their pursuit of a top-four place but go into the game on the back of a 5-1 hiding by Chelsea in the FA Cup.

Spurs on paper have the better side but they appear to have run out of steam with the finishing line in sight and are worth opposing at 10/11, while the draw is priced at 13/5.

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Arsenal out to gun down Magpies

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With Arsenal arguably in their best run of form this season, Newcastle United face a tough test when they make the trip to the capital on Monday (Arsenal 1/2, draw 3/1, Newcastle 13/2).

The Gunners tore apart AC Milan in their last outing, with a 3-0 whitewash in the Champions League, which will have left manager Arsene Wenger thinking “if only”. Despite a fine performance at the Emirates, the north London outfit crashed out of the European competition 4-3 on aggregate but will be able to take plenty of positives from the way they played against the Italian side.

Attentions will now be solely focused on securing Champions League football for next season, with a top four finish in the Premier League being a must for Wenger, who has managed to turn things around having been under intense pressure for his job last month.

The Gunners will welcome back midfielders Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey to the side having recovered from a head and ankle injury respectively, with the pair set to bring more creativity to the team in the middle of the park. That will be great news for the club’s star striker Robin van Persie, who will benefit from the extra chances he will get from the returning playmakers.

The Dutch international has continued his fantastic form, which does not look like it’s going to stop, as defenses continue to struggle to handle the 28-year-old, who has been linked with moves to both Real Madrid and Barcelona. Expect Van Persie (5/2 first goalscorer) to cause the Magpies plenty of problems at the back and it wouldn’t be surprising to see his name on the scoresheet once again on Monday.

As for Newcastle, they will be looking for a much better result than they got in their last trip to north London, when they were thumped by Tottenham Hotspur 5-0 last month. The Magpies produced a rare lacklustre performance, as they were outclassed by Spurs at White Hart Lane and manager Alan Pardew won’t want that to happen again at the Emirates.

It will be an interesting midfield battle on Monday night, with Chiek Tiote set to break up and create attacks in a game the visitors might see little of the ball. However the Black and Whites do have some exciting options in attack with the likes of Demba Ba (8/1 first goalscorer) and Papiss Cisse likely to cause a less-than-watertight Arsenal defence problems.

There should be plenty of goals in this game, with neither side boasting sturdy defences but having plenty of options in attack (8/13 Over 2.5 goals). Expect Van Persie to be in the goals once again as he looks to add to his 32 goals in the current campaign.

In their current form it’s hard to look past Arsenal winning this one after their thumping of Milan but Newcastle should have a better time of it than on their last trip to the capital.

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Canaries can clip Magpies wings

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The Premier League teams will be tested to the maximum over the festive period, with a packed fixture list. Injuries and suspensions are starting to kick in and could have a major impact this weekend – with the rarity of all seven matches kicking off at 3pm.

Norwich v Newcastle

Newcastle’s blistering start has come to an end during a recent tough spell, which has seen the Magpies pick up just one point from their last three games – against Manchester city, Manchester United and Chelsea.

Alan Pardew has lost first-choice centre-back partnership Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor to injury and that may see them slip to a third defeat in four games, when they travel to Carrow Road.

Norwich have surprised many this term and have lost just two of their seven home fixtures to date. The Canaries have also scored the joint-most headed goals in the top division (seven), with Steve Morison and Grant Holt likely to cause a makeshift Newcastle backline problems.

Suggested Bet: Norwich to win @ 6/4

Arsenal v Everton

The Gunners go into this game as strong favourites and it seems highly unlikely they will slip up against an Everton team desperately struggling for goals. The Merseysiders have not won at Arsenal since 1996 and that run looks set to continue.

Mikel Arteta will be particularly keen to show Everton what they are missing and Robin van Persie will be fresh having sat out the midweek Champions League trip to Greece.

Suggested Bet: Van Persie to score 2 or more @ 11/4

Man Utd v Wolves

Sir Alex Ferguson has endured arguably his worst week as United boss for ten years, with the shock midweek Champions League exit and the news that captain Nemanja Vidic will miss the rest of the season.

The champions normally respond though from key setbacks and Wolves will be fearing a backlash. A lack of striking options will mean Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney should start up front and they will be desperate to quash talk of an Old Trafford crisis.

Suggested Bet: Welbeck to score at anytime @ 8/11

Liverpool v QPR

Kenny Dalglish’s men are unbeaten at home this season, but draws against Swansea and Norwich have frustrated fans and management alike. An unfortunate defeat at Fulham on Monday makes this a must-win game for the Reds as they look to keep pace in the race for the top four.

QPR are capable of causing any team problems on their day, recording victories over Chelsea and at Stoke this season. Their away form has been more miss than hit though and the stats suggest they will struggle to clinch a second ever win at Anfield – their first coming in 1991.

Suggested Bet: Draw HT/Liverpool FT @ 7/2

Bolton v Aston Villa

Bolton’s home form is one of the biggest puzzles of the Premier League to date – their record at the Reebok is normally impressive, but they have lost six of their seven home games this term. The only win was a crushing 5-0 success over Stoke but Villa could provide Owen Coyle’s men with their second scalp.

Villa have struggled with form and injuries in recent weeks and head to the North West having failed to win on the road this season. Pressure is already growing on Alex McLeish, who was an unpopular appointment among many Villa fans.

Suggested Bet: Bolton win @ 6/4

Swansea v Fulham

These two teams are almost a mirror image, hard to break down but struggling for goals. The Swans and Cottagers have scored just 30 goals between them this term so expect a low scoring affair.

Martin Jol’s men gained a much needed win over Liverpool which will boost their confidence, but Swansea have the pace to cause a sluggish Fulham backline some problems.

Suggested Bet: Under 2.5 Goals @ 4/6

West Brom v Wigan

The Baggies have not pulled up any trees so far this season and their home form – two wins from seven matches – will be a concern for Roy Hodgson. They look strong enough though not to be dragged into a relegation battle…..unlike their opponents on Saturday.

Many believe Wigan are already doomed, but they have picked up four points from their last three games and did take four points off West Brom last season – which included a 2-2 draw at the Hawthorns.

Suggested Bet: Draw @ 13/5

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Magpies hunt down promotion

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Notts County boss Martin Allen has transformed his side around from a struggling club at the foot end of the table last season into a promotion chasing team this time around. They take on Hartlepool at Meadow Lane on Sunday and should be backed at Evs to continue their fine start to the season with three points.

Although they have lost their opening two games in October, Allen did pick up the manager of the month award in League One, as a reward for his side’s run in September. The curse of the award seems to have taken its toll on the opening results in the new month.

The two results won’t concern Allen too much, and he will see them as a mini blip as he challenges his players to go on winning run once again.

The Magpies were boosted with the news that Lee Hughes has signed an extension to his contract at the club. The former West Brom man has been critical to their rise from League Two strugglers in recent years. Take Hughes to score the first goal in the game at 9/2.

Hughes is one of the leading strikers in this division and always a handful for the opposition defence. He has been so successful at this level over the past couple of season that his goal celebration has become a big hit in these quarters.

Notts County have won four of their last five games in front of their home crowd, and that’s one of the key reasons to why they are currently ninth in the League One table, just one point outside the play-off zone.

It must be said that Hartlepool have had a solid start to their campaign and sit just one place above their opponents going into their game.

However, their recent run of fixtures have been kind to them, and they can expect things to become a lot tougher in the near future.

Coach Mick Wadsworth has refused to talk about promotion, and he is probably wise to do so because they are punching above their weight at the moment.

Their latest result was a 1-0 defeat at home to Sheffield Wednesday. The start of a tough run of fixtures.

Pools are without an obvious leading striker, like Hughes, who is capable of scoring 15 goals this season. They lacked quality in front of goal last weekend against the Owls.

Notts County are a high scoring side and the visitors will have to score at least twice if they are going to get something from the game on Sunday afternoon.

Take the 2-1 scoreline in favour of Notts County for your correct score selection at 8/1.

Three points on Sunday will keep the Magpies on track for a push for at least the play-offs this season. They struggled last season following promotion into the league, financial problems being their biggest Achilles heels. However, they now know what is required as they look for a return back into the second flight on English football.

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