English Premier
2011-12-21 - Newcastle United vs WBA
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football : England : Premiership
Wednesday 21st December - Kickoff 7:45pm
Newcastle United
Pardew's Newcastle are struggling to rediscover their excellent form from the first third of the season. After winning 7 of their opening 11 games the Toon found themselves in the top 3 for long spells of the season. However, the wheels have come off slightly with them winless in the next 5 and now the side sits in 7th. This Wednesday they host West Brom in what is a very winnable game for the Toon.
I said the same thing about Swansea at the weekend, the worst travellers in the league came to St James but the Toon couldn't score and it ended 0-0.
Newcastle dominated most of the game and didn't look like a side struggling with confidence. Unfortunately for them they met Vorm who as per made some ridiculous saves but Newcastle convinced me that despite the stats they are stilling playing some good football.
It wouldn't be a preview of mine without stats so here they are. The Toon are winless in the last 5 losing to City (3-1), Chelsea (0-3) and Norwich (4-2) whilst drawing at Old Trafford (1-1) and at home to Swansea last time out (0-0).
Pardew's side has goals in them but have a tendancy to struggle if they can't get that first goal. They have been shut out at home 3 times to Chelsea, Arsenal and Swansea but in their other 5 home games they scored 2 goals in 4 of them. I can't envisage that the Toon will face both Swansea and WBA in a 4 days and struggle to score against both. Toon to bounce back in front of goal for me this Wednesday.
Newcastle United Team News
Guthrie, Marveaux, Ranger, Tavernier, Taylor miss out through injury whilst Cabaye and Gosling miss out through suspension with Ryan Taylor a doubt.
With his midfield a little shaken up, I expect starts for Obertan, Tiote,Gutiérrez and unknown Abeid who will certianly need Tiote's help in the middle of the park. Up top it will be Ba supported Best as the Toon go looking for goals.
At the back Coloccini is fit and will partner Perch with Simpson and Santon at full back. As ever the impressive Krul remains inbetween the sticks.
WBA
The Baggies have moved up 2 places into 13th place at the weekend following their 2-1 win at Blackburn. Hodgson's side keep winning just as they get within the lower third of the table and now have a 5 point margin of safety from the bottom 3. Two away games in a short week isn't ideal but they visit Newcastle whilst they are out of form and a shock away win isn't impossible here.
Hodgson's side have been very inconsistent this season with the Baggies only winning back to back games once this season and that happened in October. With history and the fact it's too away games with little rest for this small squad I think Newcastle holds the advantage here.
The away form is very good, WBA has the 7th best record on the road thanks to their 3 wins at Norwich (0-1), Villa (1-2) and Blackburn (1-2). Scoring goals is key to picking up points and 9 goals in 8 games at an average of over a goal a game away from home is very good. The problem is at the other end where WBA has conceded 13 goals at over 1.50 goals per game conceded.
I think the Baggies will come to the North East looking for the win. They don't grind out games, it's not their mentality to park the bus and we could see a really open game on Wednesday.
WBA Team News
Fortuné, Gera, Jara and Thorne miss out with Morrison, Mulumbu and Scharner doubts.
That midfield could be without some key players just like Newcastle's and that only adds to the possibility of an end to end game.
There is extra pressure on Thomas and Brunt to produce the goods out wide if the middle is either not 100% fit or the reserve players are needed.
Up top Long will partner Odemwingie and as mentioned above, this side won't come to St James to defend.
The Betting Verdict
This game is used to goals with the last 6 all going overs. Newcastle will want a win desperately to end their drought whilst West Brom has 3 wins already on their travels and fancy their chances too.
If pushed I prefer Newcastle to win but the overs looks massively over priced to me. Both midfield's are banged up whilst Perch at centreback worries me if I'm on the Toon.
West Brom are averaging over a goal a game away from home and the Toon should get a few themselves especially if they create as many chances as they did against Swansea.
I'm going to take a chance and play the 2.75 over line priced at 2.16 which seems too big to me. If we get that early goal this could be a shoot out and I see at least 3 goals here.
Good Luck
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Newcastle 3-2 West Brom
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Over 2.75 goals at 2.16 at PinnacleSports
