English Premier
2011-05-07 - Newcastle Utd vs Birmingham City
A Sports Betting Pick by ArmchairPunter
Football : England : Premier League
Saturday 7th May 2011 – Kickoff 3pm
Newcastle entertain visitors Birmingham City at St James Park on Saturday with both teams keen to make their Premiership status a certainty for next season with all three points at stake here.
Newcastle United
The Magpies are two points ahead of Birmingham and barring any miraculous results from the teams below them, should be safe for next season as they look to rebuild and spend up big during the summer months.
However, recent results have shown their frailties as they limp towards the end of the season with a run of four matches without a win. Draws against Manchester United and Blackpool have ensured almost guaranteed safety but I'm sure that Newcastle will be keen for a home win in front of their Geordie faithful against the Blues.
Newcastle's home record stands at 5-7-5 36/23, and have drawn four of their last six at home which perhaps underlines the opportunity to buy a striker in the off-season to provide a greater edge up front and convert those draws into vital wins?
Defender Mike Williamson is out for this match due to a broken arm, so Steven Taylor is poised to fill in at centre-back.
Birmingham City
Birmingham are almost there – 39 points accrued and they are slowly limping towards the finish line in what would be considered a successful season if they retain their Premiership status given their triumph in the Carling Cup final against Arsenal earlier in the season.
Last week saw them hold a disappointing Wolves outfit to a draw at Molineaux which was a pretty solid result in the end given the fact that hot-head Craig Gardner got sent off in a tumultuous first half for diving.
Gardner is duly suspended for the next two matches starting against Newcastle, and is joined by the likes of defender Scott Dann who has played his part this season before injury cut short his participation in the second half of the campaign and striker Nicola Zigic.
Another point at St James Park would probably do for Big Eck and would see his Blues side attain that magical 40 point mark with two games to go; Fulham at home and Tottenham away.
The Betting Verdict :
Newcastle have been disappointing in the last few matches while Birmingham find it very difficult to win away from home but I would expect them to grind out perhaps a point here to edge towards safety.
I'm going for a 1-1 draw.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Newcastle Utd 1-1 Brimingham City
