Villa v Newcastle: Team that can’t score host rivals that can’t defend

This is the true definition of a relegation six pointer and Newcastle look the better call to secure a first away win of the season at Aston Villa.

These two could hardly be in worse form heading to Villa Park, with Paul Lambert’s team winning just one of their last nine at home, while Newcastle have managed just a single point from a possible 18 on the road.

The draw would therefore seem the obvious outcome at 23/10, but there is a strong possibility that this will please neither manager.

Given their home advantage, Villa are slight favourites at 6/4, but preference is for the visitors at 7/4.

With Villa having a nightmare defending set-pieces and needing to add some more experience, Lambert faces a big decision in whether to recall Richard Dunne, who has been unavailable all season with a groin problem.

For Newcastle, Alan Pardew is expecting to name four of his new faces, with Mathieu Debuchy and Moussa Sissoko the inclusions likely to have the greatest impacts.

However, it is Yohan Cabaye that may most swing the game in Newcastle’s favour as he continues his comeback from injury.

It is in the goals department where both teams have problems, with Villa struggling to score them and Newcastle conceding far too many.

In fact, across their last five at home Villa have managed a single goal, while Newcastle have let in at least two in five of their last six.

Newcastle have also failed to score in three of their last six visits to Villa Park in a run where they have taken just a solitary point.

It is 11/8 that Villa score over 1.5 goals here, but the best bet may well prove to be that both teams do not find the target, which can be backed at 11/10.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date