Six reasons why Newcastle should beat Portsmouth

Newcastle/Portsmouth, 8pm, Setanta Spts 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Portsmouth destroyed Newcastle 4-1 at St James’ Park last season - charging into a 3-0 lead after just 11 minutes - and they have only lost two of their last nine games. However, here are six reasons why Newcastle should win arguably their biggest game of the decade and at the very least take a point:

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1. Newcastle have won eight of their last ten home games against Portsmouth.

2. The Magpies’ heaviest win of the season came in the reverse fixture at Fratton Park when they destroyed Portsmouth 3-0.

3. Alan Shearer was never beaten in five Premier League clashes with Pompey as a player.

Posted: April 27th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Why Stoke will beat Newcastle and all but guarantee survival

Stoke/NUFC, Sat 5.30pm, Setanta Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

With one of the best home records in the top-flight, chickendinner fancy Stoke to make it two losses out of two for Alan Shearer at the generous price of 6/4 with their chairman’s firm Bet365. Here’s why:

1. Excluding the Big Four, no team have picked up more points than Stoke (14) from their last eight league games. Over that same period, Newcastle have taken just six.

2. Stoke are unbeaten at home to sides outside of the top six - winning six and drawing three of their nine encounters.

3. In stark contrast, Newcastle are winless away to sides outside of the bottom six - losing seven and drawing three. They have lost all six against teams placed between 7th and 14th.

4. Middlesbrough and Sunderland have already both fallen to defeat at the Britannia Stadium (both 1-0, which is available at 13/2 generally) so the Potters are looking to complete a North East treble.

5. Newcastle have only won on two of their last twelve trips to Stoke.

Posted: April 9th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Redknapp hunts FA Cup win number four against Man Utd

Five stats about this weekend’s football

1. While Tottenham were knocked out against Manchester United in the FA Cup fourth round last season, they have a manager more than capable of causing an upset at Old Trafford. Harry Redknapp has won FA Cup games against the Red Devils with three of his four previous clubs. He won 2-0 at home to them with Bournemouth before enjoying 1-0 away wins while managing West Ham and Portsmouth.

2. If Chelsea see off Southend in their replay they will face Ipswich at home in the fourth round. This will be the ninth time in eleven third-to-fifth round draws that Chelsea have been given a home tie with a lower league club.

Posted: January 5th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Sunderland 26/1 to beat the champions at Old Trafford

Man Utd/Sunderland, 5.30 Sat, Setanta Sp 1, Best Odds, Free Bets

It’s rare for the odds on a football match to change too drastically in the days before it takes place but Sunderland drifted from 23/1 to 27/1 on Betfair following Roy Keane’s resignation as manager. That price has since been cut to 26/1 as punters realised how large the odds had become but it’s still hard to see the Black Cats taking anything. Here are the key facts:

SUNDERLAND HAVE IMPROVED ON THE ROAD
Last season it was Sunderland’s home form that kept them in the Premier League but this campaign they have operated in reverse. They have the third worst home record in the league but only eight teams have taken more points on the road than them, where they have won twice, drawn twice and lost three times.

BUT SADLY FOR THEM, UNITED ARE BETTER AT HOME

Posted: December 5th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment