The trip to the Liberty Stadium is the longest one any Premier League fan can make, with the Toon Army poised to cover around 700 miles in getting to and from South Wales. As a result, they will certainly be hoping it is worth it as they keep their fingers crossed Newcastle can make it three straight wins. A European spot looks all but assured after last week’s 2-0 win over Liverpool gave them a 10-point lead over seventh-placed Everton.

While the Reds were bad last week, Newcastle looked eager to end the season well having exceeded all expectations up to this point. Manager Alan Pardew has turned the Magpies into a formidable outfit with some shrewd signings, none more so than Papiss Cisse. The Senegal striker has seven goals in eight appearances since his mid-season switch from Freiburg, four of which have been the first goals of the game. As such Cisse to break the deadlock again at 11/2 may be worth an investment.

Newcastle’s last away trip resulted in a 3-1 win over West Brom but before then Pardew’s men hadn’t been prolific at picking up points on their travels recently. Before the victory at the Hawthorns they had managed two wins in a nine away matches, a run of which includes six defeats.

Given Swansea’s excellent home form this season it’s tough to see Newcastle coming away with all three points.  If you do fancy Newcastle to become only the third team to win at the Liberty Stadium then they can be backed at 2/1, with the Swans 11/8 and the draw 12/5 in the match betting.

While Newcastle fans may feel they have overachieved this season then there is no doubt Swansea’s campaign has exceeded the expectations for their supporters. The Swans are on 39 points heading into the Easter weekend and, barring a remarkable comeback by those at the bottom, should be safe even if they don’t win another game.

However, manager Brendan Rodgers won’t be allowing his players to think about their summer holidays just yet and despite losing at Tottenham last week they put in a much improved display at White Hart Lane after a limp-wristed defeat against Everton at home.

In front of another bumper crowd Rodgers will be hoping his team can claim another big scalp, having beaten Arsenal and Manchester City and taken points off Chelsea and Tottenham. Having worked with opposite number Pardew while working as a coach at Reading, Rodgers might have a few ideas as to what the Toon might throw at them.

The goalless draw at St James’ Park certainly gave an indication that Rodgers’ team can stifle the north-east outfit, although there was no Cisse for the Toon that day.

The partnership of Cisse and Demba Ba could be the deciding factor but if Swansea can keep them quiet and play their own game there is no reason why they can’t get a result. Draw HT/ Swansea FT is 9/2 and could be the value bet for punters.

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Swansea City v Chelsea 7:45pm

To say Swansea have punched above their weight this season would be an understatement, with the Welsh outfit many people’s favourites to go down at the start of the campaign.

However, an attractive style of football and some rock solid home form means they welcome Chelsea sitting comfortably in mid-table.  The last time the Swans played at home they claimed the scalp of Arsenal after outmanoeuvring the Gunners at their own passing game. They might have lost twice since then but it was clear Brendan Rodgers had one eye on this meeting when he sent out a scratch side at Bolton in the FA Cup.

The big guns will all be back for Swansea for Tuesday and Chelsea would do well not to underestimate them. The Blues battled to a 1-0 win over QPR on Saturday as they continued a run of just doing enough to get by in games. Their last away match in the Premier League saw them frustrated by Norwich and it could be a similar result on Tuesday night.

The Swans aren’t prolific in front of goal and even though Fernando Torres has looked bright recently he is still goal shy. Under 2.5 goals at 4/5 looks to be a good shout should this one go to form.

Despite their stuttering performances Chelsea are 4/5 to win in Wales while Swansea are a tempting 7/2 to cause yet another upset, with the draw 11/4. Either would be a worthwhile punt, depending on how brave you are feeling.

Wolves v Liverpool 7:45pm

Wolves look to be on the slide at the moment. Knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship side Birmingham City and turned over by Aston Villa surely must have set off the alarm bells at Molineux.

A lack of transfer activity this month will also have sent supporters in search of the panic button as they slip towards the relegation zone. One win in the last 13 in all competitions is a worrying stat and memories of their bright start to the season are long gone.

The last thing they need is a visit from a team which will be buzzing after cup victories over Manchester City and Manchester United respectively. They say a week in football is a long time and Liverpool proved that was true by bouncing back from a shocking performance at Bolton to beat the two big boys from Manchester.

The Reds’ away form may not be brilliant recently but they will be flying and have way too much for Wolves, who are without a whole host of midfielders. Liverpool to win to nil at 7/5, or the Reds to win by any score at 8/11, should be the way to go.

Everton v Manchester City 8pm

City have had a week to think over their Carling Cup exit to Liverpool and will return to Merseyside with revenge in mind. Roberto Mancini’s men haven’t been particularly impressive lately but are still getting the job done in the Premier League.

The title is the priority this season and they will know they will have to win at Goodison Park to maintain their three-point lead, with Manchester United expected to roll over Stoke on Tuesday.

However, winning at Goodison has been a problem for City recently, with just two wins in 14 at Everton. The Toffees might be struggling for players but David Moyes will certainly make sure they are a tough nut to crack.

You can get 10/3 on it being a draw half-time/City winning at full-time and that looks a great price given how City have performed in the first half of games recently. Mancini’s men are 5/6 for the win outright, with Everton 7/2 and the draw 5/2.

Elsewhere on Tuesday there should be comfortable wins for Tottenham and Manchester United as they play host to Wigan and Stoke respectively. Spurs are 2/9 to beat the Latics at White Hart Lane, while United are 2/7 to take their cup frustrations out on the Potters.

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Swansea v QPR (5pm)

Both teams lost last week and will be keen to collect a late Christmas present, with the duo hovering dangerously above the drop zone. Swansea’s home record could be crucial though, as Brandon Rodgers men look to increase the gap between themselves and the R’s.

Both of these sides were playing Championship football last season and QPR had the better of things, claiming a 0-0 draw at the Liberty Stadium before sealing a 4-0 success at Loftus Road. But the Swans have the better form at present and have lost just one of their eight home games to date.

QPR have been better on the road than at home, but Swansea’s impressive defensive record – just two goals conceded at home - could see them edge this affair.

Suggested Bet: Swansea to win @ Evens 

Arsenal v Wolves (3pm)

The Gunners showed some steel when bouncing back from defeat to Manchester City to beat Aston Villa last time out, although it was far from a vintage display. But six wins, one draw and just one defeat at the Emirates tells it’s own story and it looks like more woe on their travels for Wolves.

Mick McCarthy’s men have won just once on their travels this term and recent displays on the road have been poor. Wolves have conceded two goals or more in their last six away games, with just six goals scored in eight fixtures away from Molineux, and it could be more of the same on Tuesday.

Suggested Bet: Total Goals (3-5 Goals) @ 8/13

Norwich v Tottenham (7.30pm)

Both these teams picked up draws in their last fixtures and both are in fine fettle going into this clash at Carrow Road. The Canaries find themselves in the top half, but the attacking threat that Spurs offer could be too much for Paul Lambert’s men.

Norwich has scored plenty at home (16) but they have also conceded regularly (12) and Harry Redknapp’s men have the speed to cause a paceless Canaries backline major problems, especially with Kyle Naughton out through suspension.

Tottenham, who have only lost one of their last 14 league matches, could have Rafael van der Vaart back, after suffering a knock against Chelsea, while Jermaine Defoe will have a late fitness test.

Suggested Bet: Draw HT/Tottenham FT - 10/3

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QPR

Neil Warnock’s side comfortably won the Championship title with 88 points, having spent most of last season in the top position.

However, their promotion was shrouded in controversy when they had to wait for confirmation of their Premier League place following fears of points being deducted over rule breaches regarding the signing of Alejandro Faurlin.

Warnock spent the first half of the summer wondering if he would be replaced despite his excellent work at Loftus Road, while, at the time of writing, the R’s will go into their first Premier League season in 15 years with Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd on board, while Danny Gabbidon and Kieron Dyer have joined on free transfers.

That will disappoint many fans given that the club were being linked with the likes of Peter Crouch and Niko Kranjcar earlier in the summer, while the prospect of talisman Adel Taarabt (80/1 Top Goalscorer) departing before a ball is kicked will not help matters.

Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City are all on the R’s fixture list in the first eight games and that could see them fighting against the drop almost immediately (13/2 To Finish Bottom).

NORWICH

Paul Lambert has performed wonders at Carrow Road since taking over in 2009. The League One title was then followed last season by automatic promotion to the Premier League as they became the first team since Manchester City 11 years earlier to achieve that feat.

The key to the Canaries’ success was their excellent strike rate with 83 goals scored, while Lambert has moved to strengthen that department in the close-season with the arrival of James Vaughan and Steve Morison from Everton and Millwall respectively.

Midfielders Elliott Bennett, Bradley Johnson and Anthony Pilkington and defensive duo Ritchie De Laet and Kyle Naughton have also been brought in by a busy Lambert.

The squad is in place but the new signings all have a similar trait in that they all lack Premier League experience and that could work against them when the going gets tough – as it inevitably will – during the course of the season.

Many feel Norwich have bought wisely as they appear to expect relegation and, in that respect, their wage bill and finances will not take a battering by the loss of TV money which would accompany the drop back down to the Championship next May.

I see the Canaries as a side that will perform similar to Blackpool by exciting Premier League fans with their attacking play and goal-filled games, but they are set to fall short over 38 matches (8/13 Relegation).

SWANSEA

The Championship play-off winners were billed as the best footballing team in the Championship last season as Brendan Rodgers guided the South Wales side to the English top-flight for the first time in just under 30 years in his first season at the Liberty Stadium.

The Swans were worthy of their 4-2 play-off final success against Reading as they finished third in the table after 46 games.

However, the loss of keeper Dorus De Vries and Darren Pratley did not help Rodgers’ plans, but he remedied things by bringing in Benfica’s reserve goalkeeper Jose Moreira, Tottenham defender Steven Caulker has arrived on loan and Newcastle’s Wayne Routledge is due to join in a £2milion deal.

The strike-force has been beefed up with last season’s top Championship hitman Danny Graham joining from Watford and Middlesbrough forward Leroy Lita set to follow.

Both players have some Premier League experience – albeit limited – with Middlesbrough and Reading respectively, but they are capable of chipping in with some vital goals.

The Swans may be favourites for the drop (8/15 Relegation) but their passing style and strong home form is likely to see them do well at the Liberty Stadium and they could well be the surprise package in the new season, much like Hull City back in the 2008-09 campaign (11/8 To Stay Up).

Prediction Swansea Top Promoted Team @ 11/4

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After 90 seconds of the first leg, Forest fans must have thought it was going to be their night – Neil Taylor seeing red for a fairly x-rated challenge. However, anyone who thought that would open the flood gates for the usually free-flowing Forest were mistaken as Billy Davies‘ men found themselves banging their head against a brick wall.

Despite having scored 14 goals in their previous four matches the former European champions found it difficult to break down the Swans – their lack of imagination costing them in their bid to take an advantage to the Liberty Stadium.

Instead the goalless draw surely hands Swansea the impetuous considering their formidable record, the Jacks having lost just three times at home in the league. The Swans are evens to win the second leg of the semi-final, while Forest are 13/5 and the draw, after 90 minutes, is 9/4.

Forest didn’t enjoy their trip to south Wales earlier in the season when they were beaten 3-2, a score line which didn’t reflect the dominance of the home team on that day. Traditionally Forest have struggled away from home in the Championship with their form on the road costing them automatic promotion last season.

The current campaign hasn’t heralded a massive change in fortunes, despite back-to-back wins on their travels at the end of season. Those two wins were the only two they had managed in ten matches away from home.

Davies felt his side were unlucky in the first leg but after watching the video tape back might feel a little differently and could make changes to his side, with David McGoldrick, Garath McCleary, Marcus Tudgay and Radoslaw Majewski all waiting in the wings. For Swansea they have been given a boost with the news the dangerous looking Fabio Borini is fit to start. The on-loan Chelsea striker limped off in the first game with a hamstring problem but has been cleared to play and can be back to score anytime at 6/5.

While Forest stood firm to the Swans trio of Borini, Nathan Dyer and Scott Sinclair last week, with 11 v 11 it might be a different matter. It seems unlikely there is going to be a glut of goals, based on the first leg, but with the crowd behind them you’d say Swansea should have too much attacking talent for Forest.

Last year Forest suffered the heart-break of losing in the play-offs and unless they cause a real upset they will endure the same fate again. As for the Swans, they are 15/8 to go up and maybe that is worth a punt when you look at the team’s in the play-offs. After Tuesday most of south Wales could be preparing a Welsh invasion of the capital, if Swansea and Cardiff do what is expected of them and booked their places at Wembley.

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Here are five games which we feel will have a big impact on issues at both ends of the Championship on Saturday.

SWANSEA V NORWICH (5.20pm)

Arguably the biggest game in the Championship has been picked for TV coverage and will kick off in the early evening at the Liberty Stadium. This could well be the game that Norwich make a significant stride towards securing that second automatic spot (Norwich 5/6 Promotion) if they win in South Wales.

Paul Lambert’s side currently sit four points clear of the Swans following last weekend’s stunning 6-0 win against Scunthorpe and they are unbeaten in over two months.
Red-hot striker Grant Holt will look to celebrate his new three-year deal with a goal for the Canaries (6/1 First Goalscorer) following his treble against the Iron.

Brendan Rodgers’ side, whose promotion hopes have been dented by three successive away defeats to struggling Preston, Derby and Scunthorpe are usually a lot stronger on home soil and will no doubt pose a big threat to Norwich.
It should be a closely-fought encounter and it is therefore hard to pick a winner.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 23/10
Value Bet: S Sinclair 1st Goal 1-1 Draw Scorecast  @ 22/1

DONCASTER V CARDIFF (3pm)

This encounter at the Keepmoat Stadium will have implications at both ends of the table with Cardiff (8/5 Promotion) sat in third spot and looking for maximum points to keep pressure on second-placed Norwich.

However, Rovers are not completely safe from relegation so they will look for three points to virtually secure Championship football for next season.

Cardiff drew 3-3 at Millwall in their last away game, although they will go into this clash on the back of last week’s thumping 4-1 home win against Derby.

Michael Chopra is still ruled out due to injury, but the Bluebirds have more than enough firepower to see them through this one.

Doncaster are without their influential striker Billy Sharp so will again be lacking up front as they have only managed one goal in their last four outings.

Sean O’Driscoll will point to Cardiff’s recent 1-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Crystal Palace to give his side hope, but the Welshmen will have just too much.

Prediction: Cardiff Away Win 90 Minutes @ 6/5
Value Bet: Cardiff to Win 2-0 Correct Score @ 8/1

MILLWALL V LEEDS (3pm)

A big game in south London between two sides with slightly differing targets at this moment in time. Kenny Jackett’s Lions are six points off a play-off place, while Leeds sit in fifth spot and are six points off the automatic promotion places (Leeds 7/2 Promotion).

Victory for Millwall would push them closer to those top-six places with just six matches remaining, while Simon Grayson’s men could be left to focus on staying in those places if they lose and results elsewhere go against them.

Millwall (14/1 promotion)  have won three of their last four, including a 2-0 success against league leaders QPR at the intimidating Den, so they will fancy their chances of another positive result against Leeds, who they also have a good record against on home soil.

Leeds smashed Nottingham Forest 4-1 at Elland Road last week, but lost 2-0 at struggling Sheffield United in their last away game.

The Whites will have to improve dramatically on that display, but are good enough to get at least a share of the spoils.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 23/10
Value Bet: Millwall/Draw HT/FT @14/1

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V READING (3PM)

This match-up at the City Ground sees a Forest side which is in free-fall against a Royals outfit which is one of the in-form Championship sides. As a result Brian McDermott’s men have usurped Billy Davies’ injury-hit Forest in the final play-off spot in the past week.

Therefore, Forest must try and use their usually reliable home form to claw their way back into contention of a top-six finish, but it will not be easy given that they have now not won in eight league outings and have Chris Cohen suspended after his red card at Leeds.

In the meantime Reading (7/2 Promotion) moved three points clear of Forest after the midweek win against Preston made it five successive victories and stretched the unbeaten run to nine.
Forest have only lost once at home all season and for that reason you’dfancy them not to be beaten, although it will be a close contest.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 23/10
Value Bet: 2-2 Draw Correct Score @ 12/1

SHEFFIELD UNITED V MIDDLESBROUGH (3pm)

The game of the day at the wrong end of the Championship sees third-bottom Sheffield United facing fellow strugglers Boro at Bramall Lane in a game they simply cannot afford to lose. In fact anything less than three points could be fatal for the Blades, who are currently seven points adrift of safety.

The omens are good for the South Yorkshire outfit given that they have a history of coming out on top in this fixture, while they have beaten Nottingham Forest and Leeds in their previous home games.

Tony Mowbray’s Boro are unbeaten in four league games with two wins and two draws to see them sit 10 points clear of the third-bottom Blades. They will be boosted by the return of captain Matthew Bates from a two-month hamstring injury lay-off and know a win would virtually guarantee their safety.

An interesting clash in store but United’s pure desperation for three points will see them edge this encounter.

Prediction: Sheffield United Home win 90 Minutes @ 13/10
Value Bet: R Cresswell 1st goal Sheff United win 1-0 Scorecast @ 28/1

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