FOOTBALL BETTING: Live on Sky Sports 1: 19:45
Third placed West Brom have won just once at St James Park in 42 years against Championship leaders Newcastle. Chris Hutcheon Previews.
With promotion to the Premiership the ultimate prize, the league clash against West Brom is arguably more important than next weekend’s cup tie against the Baggies and at 5/4 with Betdaq, Newcastle are favourites to strike a major blow in the tussle at the top of the Championship by seeing off the visitors, who are 11/4 (Ladbrokes) to win part one of the pair’s double header.
A recent spate of draws for Chris Hughton’s side will make William Hill’s 9/4 for a St James’ Park stalemate more tempting for punters and a repeat of the 1-1 scoreline, played out at the Hawthorns on the season’s opening day, is rated by Totesport at 11/2.
However, home advantage and the possibility that the Baggies could still be reeling from their defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend, suggest that United should be the victors and those in agreement can back them at 3/1 (bet365) to shade it by a one-goal margin. Online firm 888Sport’s 8/1 for the Magpies to finish on the right side of a 2-1 scoreline is an alternative for those seeking to be more specific, while Victor Chandler offer 4/1 for Newcastle to come out on top after an even first half.
Elsewhere, Partybets quote odds of 14/5 for the match to produce more than 2.5 goals and result in a home win, that goal tally on its own is available with Stan James at 11/10 and Paddy Power mark 4/5 against a match in which both teams find the net.
Staying with goals meanwhile, Jaxx.com make Hughton’s men 3/4 to break the deadlock and Peter Lovenkrands is 7/1 (Betfred) to follow up his midweek hat trick against Plymouth by opening the scoring in this one.
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