When Newcastle Utd was relegated from the Premiership last season there were fears that one of the most passionately supported clubs in the country could be facing ruin. Thanks to shaving the wage bill and getting rid of the players who were earning much but contributing little the team are now poised for an immediate return to the Premiership after dominating the Championship season so far. They were recently overtaken to the top spot by West Brom, but now they have regained the lead and a healthy points lead it seems that they have overcome the inevitable falter and look set for promotion.
Football betting fans were told to proceed with caution even by me at the beginning of the season with odds no higher than 7/4 available for Newcastle winning the Championship. Newcastle stand at the top of the league six points clear with a game in hand with their rival clubs needing to catch them within the eleven league matches remaining for this season.
Middlesbrough 8/5 Draw 11/5 Newcastle 7/5
Newcastle’s weekend match is the Tyne-Tees derby away to Middlesbrough. Some of the gloss of these fixtures is removed from the fact that the stadium will be partially empty due not only to the local economy hit by the mothballing of the local steelworks but also general apathy towards the football club. Newcastle has a great chance at winning this match in my opinion as Middlesbrough are struggling for form and are only safe from relegation trouble after a strong start to the season. At 7/5 I would back Newcastle. Peter Lovenkrands, Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll are in glittering form this season for the Toon Army. The draw also represents good value as unfortunately recent encounters between the two clubs has resulted in a few terrible matches where neither side deserved to win. A “bore draw” was an accurate description of the game.
West Brom and Nottingham Forest are the other two clubs that seem to be destined for promotion. Providing Newcastle are promoted as Champions, one of these clubs will need to negotiate the play-offs.
West Brom 1/2 Draw 13/5 Blackpool 5/1
West Brom are 1/2 at home to Blackpool who are seventh in the league. West Brom, Newcastle and Forest have been too good for everyone else this season, however, and I would be happy to back West Brom to win at home in this match. West Brom left it late before beating Sheffield Wednesday last week and they need to stamp their authority on the league to remain on course for automatic promotion.
Preston 8/5 Draw 43/20 Nottm Forest 29/20
Nottingham Forest are playing away this weekend to fourteenth place Preston. Preston only managed a 1-1 draw against fellow mid-table strugglers Doncaster after Billy Sharp missed a penalty for Doncaster. They must do better. Darren Ferguson is taking time to settle into his new job as Preston manager and Forest will expect they have a real chance to win here. Skipper Paul McKenna is still absent through injury and although manager Billy Davies said he wanted a loaned player to join the squad nobody has arrived as yet for Forest. Away from home I think they have a chance but they have lost their last four away games. A draw looks a possibility here. This gives West Brom a great chance to consolidate their second position in the league by beating Blackpool.
Now that the action is hotting up stay tuned to the betting odds from bwin.
Can Newcastle hold on and if so, which of West Brom and Nottingham Forest will get the second spot? There is also the chance that Swansea or Leicester could go on a run and pressure them. Do not miss the Championship run in, things are getting very interesting.
By Malcolm Clarke
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