English Premier
2012-11-11 - Newcastle United vs West Ham United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 11 November 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Newcastle United
This team showed their fighting spirit again on Thursday night as they came from 2 goals down to earn a draw in the Europa League game in Brugge and maintain their chances of getting through to the last 32 of that competition. Newcastle United can now focus on the Premier League where they have been a touch inconsistent after a very successful and over-achieving 2012 season.
Newcastle are actually 10th in the Premier League table, but they have picked up 14 points so far this season which leaves them in touch with their goals for the season. While the top 3 teams in the League have begun to separate from the pack, it says a lot about the table that Newcastle are only 3 points behind 4th placed Everton. They have a 3-1-1 record at St James' Park where they have scored 6 goals and conceded 6.
The side are unbeaten in their last 5 games in all competitions following their only home defeat of the season against Manchester United, although even that game saw them caught cold. Newcastle conceded twice early in what was otherwise a fairly even contest. Newcastle have won back to back games at home since that loss and have won 4 of their last 5 here.
Danny Simpson and James Perch are injured, while Chieck Tiote and Fabriccio Coloccini are suspended. The likes of Hatem Ben Arfa, Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba will be restored to the side after being rested on Thursday.
West Ham United
It has taken more than 12 months, but finally the West Ham United fans are accepting that Sam Allardyce is using the correct methods in ensuring this famous old club maintains their place in the Premier League. Allardyce may not play the 'West Ham way', but he has to be pragmatic as they are making the best out of the personnel they have at Upton Park.
I am sure there would have been voices of discontent if West Ham were in the relegation zone, but the side are 9th in the Premier League table and their 15 points earned puts them well on course for survival, the main aim this season. They are definitely a weaker proposition away from home where they are 1-1-2 this season, scoring 3 goals and conceding 6.
West Ham have recorded just 1 win in their last 4 games, but they have had tough games at home against Arsenal and Manchester City in that run and actually earned a point against the Champions last time out. West Ham were beaten at Wigan Athletic in their last away game, and this is clearly the toughest away test they have faced this season after previously playing Swansea, Norwich City, Queens Park Rangers and Wigan.
Ricardo Vaz Te, Jack Collison and Alou Diarra are definitely not travelling with the squad, while James Collins, James Tomkins and Matt Taylor are all doubtful.
Head to Head
The last time these sides met, Newcastle United handed out a 5-0 hammering to West Ham United in what turned out to be a relegation campaign for the Hammers.
Newcastle are now unbeaten in their last 9 home games against West Ham, winning 5 of those.
Prediction
Newcastle United are not having the same level of success as they did last season, but I totally surprised by their odds against quotes to win this match.
They have remained very good at home, finding ways to win games, while I still don't believe West Ham are the same side away from home and they are a team that could be missing the heart of their central defence for this game.
With the creativity in this Newcastle squad, I think they will find a way to create chances for a front three that can be lethal on their day and I think they will be able to cover the absences of Coloccini and Tiote in this game where they will be on the front foot for the most part.
As I say, I am surprised by the odds against quote on the home win and will be backing them to do so here.
The Statistics :
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Pick :
Newcastle United 2-0 West Ham United
