English Premier
2009-04-19 - Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham have had a real up and down season. They started the season as favourites to finish behind the top 4 in the League but after a terrible start they fired Juande Ramos and hired Harry Redknapp. Since since they have steadily moved up the table and were the runners up in the Carling Cup.
Spurs now find themselves only 3 points behind West Ham United in the final Europa League spot in the table and a win here would allow them to move into 7th if West Ham United and Fulham both fail to win on Saturday. They have an 11-8-13 record this season and are 7-5-4 at home where they have score 17 goals and conceded only 9. Amazingly, only those sides in the top 5 have lost less games at home this season and only Liverpool have conceded less goals at home this season.
Tottenham have a 4-1-1 since losing the Carling Cup on a penalty shootout and even the defeat at Blackburn was harsh on them. They are unbeaten in their last 13 home games in all competitions and they have won their last 3 at White Hart Lane without conceding a goal.
Jermaine Defoe is surprisingly back in the squad and may start off the bench. Roman Pavyluchenko and Jermaine Jenas are both doubts but Wilson Palacious is available for selection after suspension. Alan Hutton is also back in the squad after injury.
Newcastle United
The Alan Shearer era has not begun in the best manner for Newcastle with 1 point from 2 games, but the point gained at Stoke last week may prove to be a turning point for them as they fight for survival. Newcastle are 18th in the Premier League, 2 points from safety and North East rivals Sunderland. The Magpies have a 6-12-14 record this season and are 2-6-8 away from home where they have scored 16 goals and conceded 25.
Form has been terrible for Newcastle with only 1 win from their last 14 Premier League games. However, they have only lost 1 of their last 4 away League games, winning 1 and drawing the other 2. This could be a concern as they have been playing teams that are also struggling for points and so wins are more important at this stage of the season. Newcastle have only 1 clean sheet from their last 13 games in all competitions.
Mark Viduka is back in the squad for Newcastle but Obafemi Martins is likely to be missing. Jose Enrique is also a doubt and Newcastle have concerns around fitness for a number of their players.
Head to Head
Newcastle have an exceptional record against Spurs in recent seasons, winning their last 6 matches in the Premier League. However, only 2 of those wins were at White Hart Lane and Spurs had won 3 in a row at home against the Magpies before then.
There are a lot of goals in games between these 2 sides in recent seasons, with each of their last 7 meetings in all competitions ending with 3 or more goals.
The 2 sides have met twice already this season, both times at St James Park. Newcastle won the league game 2-1 but Spurs won earlier in the season 1-2 in the Carling Cup.
Prediction
Tottenham will like to save their season by finishing in the top 7 and a place in the Europa League next season and a win here will put them in a prime position to achieve those aims with 5 games left. They have been playing particularly well at home in recent matches.
Newcastle are struggling and could be under immense pressure in this game if results go badly on Saturday. They have a good record against Spurs in recent seasons and they did get a good result last weekend against Stoke.
I think this game is going to be entertaining but I think Spurs are going to be too strong for Newcastle. Spurs will want to end this season on a high and will know 3 points could take them in the European spots and I think that is enough incentive for them to take the win.
I will also take over 2.5 goals just because recent history suggests that is the way forward with these sides.
The Pick :
Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Newcastle United
BEST BETTING TIP :
Tottenham Hotspurs WINOVERS 2.5 GOALS
