Mackems can further muddy Magpies’ miserable season
Published:Wigan’s defeat at the hands of Swansea may have finally condemned The Latics to Championship football next season – a fact reflected in their 1/5 price to face the drop – and gave breathing space to those hovering above the trap door.
At various times throughout the north-west club’s clash with The Swans it was Newcastle who dropped into the bottom three, but with the Geordies now sitting three points clear of the relegation zone with two games to play, are available at 9/1 to be relegated.
North-east rivals Sunderland have also racked up 38 points this term but their vastly superior goal difference sees them two places above the St James’ Park outfit.
The Mackems’ looked in dire trouble before the appointment of Paolo Di Canio but two wins and a draw from the Italian’s first five fixtures has put daylight between themselves and the abyss and they are a long 16/1 to go down.
The Toon face a trip to QPR this coming weekend knowing a win could secure their top flight status.
Alan Pardew’s men have a woeful record on the road this term however, winning just once on their travels and could struggle to take all three points at Loftus Road.
They then face Champions League-chasing Arsenal in what could be a crucial game at both ends of the table.
The Gunners have been in fantastic form away from The Emirates, taking the three points in their previous four away jaunts, while they have been beaten by their hosts just once in eleven Premier League outings.
A points total of just one from their two remaining games makes Newcastle’s price of evens to be the top north-east side a little unattractive.
Sunderland, at 8/11 to finish above their fiercest adversaries, offers the real value here.
The Black Cats square-up to a Southampton side without a victory in four at the Stadium of Light in their next outing, whom they beat 1-0 earlier in the campaign.
A success over Mauricio Pochettino’s charges should be enough for Sunderland to rein over The Magpies and add to the growing concerns on Tyneside.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
