ENGLISH PREMIER BETTING PICK - SUNDERLAND V NEWCASTLE UNITED

English Premier

2011-08-20 - Sunderland vs Newcastle United

A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser

Match Preview :

Sunderland and Newcastle will go head to head in this derby where there will be a lot of pride and passion at stake between these two north east rivals. The host will be eager to get one better over the Magpies but they will be up against it as Steve Bruce Sunderland side have won just one of their last 13 Premier League meetings with Newcastle. More worryingly is that they have also failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 22 games against the Magpies in all competitions.

A cause of concern for Steve Bruce is that they have kept just two clean sheets in their last 17 top flight matches against any opposition, with their last at the Stadium of Light coming on New Year's Day. Since drawing with Newcastle in January, Sunderland have lost six and won only one of their last seven Premier League games at home. It has to be said that they have conceded at least twice in each fixture.

But Newcastle does have have a good travel record themselves. It has to be said that Newcastle have taken maximum points from just one of their last nine away matches. Alan Pardew's side have, however have only been beaten once in their last seven Premiership games. They have drawn five of those games, though and need to convert the draws to wins if they are to challenge for a place in Europe this season.

Team News for Sunderland v Newcastle :

Sunderland defender John O'Shea is rated at 50-50 to make his Premier League debut for the club on Saturday. The former Manchester United player has recovered from a hamstring injury suffered in pre-season, but is short of match fitness and Bruce will make a late decision on him.

Striker Asamoah Gyan has shaken off the ankle knock which saw him limp off at Liverpool last Saturday, but other then that there are no other worries.

For Newcastle, Keeper Tim Krul and striker Shola Ameobi will keep their places in the starting line-up. The Dutchman will continue in goal with Steve Harper providing the back-up following Fraser Forster's departure on loan for Celtic, while Ameobi, who has six derby goals will be in the starting eleven.

Ryan Taylor is again likely to start at left-back with Jose Enrique's replacement yet to arrive, while summer signing Sylvain Marveaux and Shane Ferguson (ankle) could be involved after playing for the reserves in midweek. However, Hatem Ben Arfa misses out with an ankle injury.

Possible lineups :

Sunderland : Mignolet, Bardsley, Brown, Ferdinand, O'Shea, Larsson, Cattermole, Colback, Richardson, Sessegnon, Gyan.

Newcastle : Krul, Simpson, S Taylor, Coloccini, R Taylor, Cabaye, Barton, Tiote, Gutierrez, Ameobi, Ba.

Last 5 matches :

Sunderland: LWLWD
Newcastle: LWDDD

Prediction :

Go for this match to end in a draw. 1-1 OR 2-2

Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser

The Statistics :

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

Main Bet :
Go for this match to end in a draw.