English Premier
2013-03-10 - Newcastle United vs Stoke City
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 10 March 2013 - Kick Off 3pm
Newcastle United
Coming back from Russia in a European tie with a credible goalless draw will have inspired the fans in believing that Newcastle United can make it into the Quarter Final of the Europa League. Alan Pardew will have put that to the back burner for now as he bids to make sure his side are not dragged into a relegation battle that they have flirted with all season.
The side are 15th in the Premier League and they have a 6 point buffer between themselves and Wigan Athletic in the final relegation place. Newcastle have a 7-1-6 record at St James' Park this season and this remains the ground where they will earn the points to keep them in the top flight if they are to do that. They have scored 21 goals and conceded 20 in those home games in the League.
Newcastle picked up a goalless draw against Anzhi Makhachkala on Thursday night so it will be interesting to see how the squad have recovered from that long trip. They are unbeaten in their last 3 home games in all competitions and have won back to back Premier League games here against Chelsea and Southampton.
Papiss Cisse could return to action having missed the game in Russia with a virus. Mathieu Debuchy and Yoan Gouffran are back in the squad too after being ineligible to play in Europe, but Tim Krul and Fabriccio Coloccini are both absent.
Stoke City
I would guess that Tony Pulis is very happy that his team already has 33 points in the bag as recent form has certainly not made pleasant reading. Stoke City had started the season in such form that many would have predicted them to definitely finish in the top half of the table, but they have come off the boil massively since then and are just hoping to find some form to close the season.
They are 11th in the Premier League table and are still 9 points clear of the relegation zone, but Stoke are dropping down the table and could potentially be overtaken by their opponents today if they lose by a couple of goals. Stoke have a 1-6-7 away record in the League so far this season, scoring 8 goals and conceding 18, making them the lowest away scorers in the League.
Stoke City have won 1 of their last 12 games in all competitions and that looks a vital three points obtained against Reading. They have particularly struggled away from home where they have lost 4 straight away games in the Premier League and scored just 1 goal in their last 7 games on their travels in all competitions.
Matthew Etherington and Michael Owen will be available for selection. Robert Huth is still suspended.
Head to Head
Stoke City came from behind to score twice in the last ten minutes and pick up the 2-1 win over Newcastle United earlier this season.
Newcastle did the double over Stoke last season, including a 3-0 win here, but they had failed to win their previous 2 home games against the Potters.
Prediction
It was a long trip back from Russia for many of the Newcastle United squad, but I think they will have enough fresh bodies who didn't travel to think they win this game.
Newcastle have been playing better since injuries cleared up and new signings were made in January and they are taking on Stoke City at what seems like the right time.
The lack of goals for Stoke doesn't bode well for them in this game and I like the home win.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Newcastle United 2-0 Stoke City
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Newcastle United to Win @ 1.85 (Ladbrokes)
