Liverpool vs Newcastle

8/3- Liverpool are in the middle of a purple patch they have hit this season, they have registered a victory in all of their last 4 matches which includes a Champions League victory over Inter Milan. The reds are in red hot form and have just a single loss in the last 10 matches and will be taking on Newcastle at home this weekend. While Liverpool is on the 4^th spot, the visiting opponents are on the 13^th spot and have registered no win in their last 10 matches and are just three points above the relegation zone. Liverpool also hold an advantage as they have defeated Newcastle earlier this season while Newcastle were playing on their home ground. Also a factor that would work in favour of the reds is that they have just lost a single game at home while Newcastle have managed just a couple of victories away from home this season. Also in the 29 matches played between the sides in the past 15 years Liverpool have managed to win 16 while Newcastle have just 7 wins to their credit while the remaining 6 have been draws.

Liverpool will be very confident after they were able to beat West Ham United 4-0 at home earlier this week and would be looking to imitate the performance. Torres and Gerrard will be the two players the fans and the side would expect to score goals. Also playing at home they would have a good amount of back up from the crowd and anything less than a victory would be disappointing for them.

Newcastle on the other hand would like to improve on their performances as the same level of performances would see them in the bottom three by the end of the season. Viduka would have to deliver in the absence of Martins and the side desperately need some points and even a draw at this stage would be cheered.

Prediction: 2-0, Liverpool win

Newcastle vs Manchester United

23/2- Manchester United are a team on a mission and they received a huge setback when they were beaten 1-2 by city rivals, Manchester City last week. A draw and a loss in the last two matches has given away a five point advantage to the league leaders Arsenal and Man U would be in no mood to compromise as they travel to take on the 13^th placed Newcastle United. Newcastle have been in no good form either and enter this match after a loss and a draw in the last two matches as well but their performance in the last 10 matches is n where near to Man U’s. The last time both teams met was at Old Trafford where the home team, Man U blanked out the visitors 6-0 and they will be looking to do the same this time as well. A look at the overall record between the two sides would suggest that Man U have always been better off against Newcastle and of the 29 matches between the sides in the last 15 years they have managed to win on 17 times while there have been 9 draws, which leaves Newcastle with just 3 wins.

Ronaldo, Tevez and Rooney will be desperate to put their side on the score sheet as early as possible and more than that they would like to have a convincing victory in order to bring back the lost confidence. The players would also keep a close on the match involving Arsenal earlier as it would be a fight to finish between both the sides this time.

Newcastle on the other hand would hope to find some form at home and though more focus would be on the way they defend but Martins or Viduka could be the players who could make the difference and get the side some crucial points.

Prediction: 1-1, draw

Aston Villa vs Newcastle

9/2- There is nothing like a home win after a defeat away and Aston Villa would be hoping for something on the same lines as they return home to take on Newcastle after a loss last week. Aston Villa are 6^th on the points table and are ahead of the 7^th placed  Manchester City just on the basis of goal difference and hence would want to ensure that the spot is maintained and they can qualify for the European competitions at the end of the season. Newcastle on the other hand are at the 12^th position and it appears as though they have lost the formula of winning a match, in the last 8 matches the team has drawn 3 matches while the remaining five have been losses.

Looking at the history between the two sides Newcastle have been quite dominant as they have won 14 of the 29 matches in the last 15 years while there have been 10 draws. While talking about this season, the previous encounter between the two sides ended as a draw. But now Aston Villa playing at home can just turn the tables around and Newcastle would have to be careful.

While Aston Villa have lost their last match against Fulham which was an away tie while Newcastle drew their last match which they played at home against Middlesbrough. While the home side have Agbonlahor and Carew as players who could make a difference for them the visiting side can pose threat through Martins and Viduka. All said and done Villa would want a full three points from this match in order to ensure that they can retain their spot on the points table or even climb a spot or two while Newcastle might just be satisfied with a point off this away tie.

Prediction: 2-1, Aston Villa win

Arsenal vs Newcastle

29/1- Arsenal are on the road to retain the lost top spot in the premiership points table. They are second just on the goal difference, they would be hoping to put up good performances and would like to pound on any mistake that Man U make at the top of the table. As they prepare for this week’s home tie against Newcastle their eyes would be fixed on the next day’s tie between Man U and Portsmouth. Arsenal get into this match after a victory last week in an away tie last week when they thrashed Fulham 0-3. The Gunners would be a confident unit and would be looking at a big margin victory at home so that they can start catching up on Man U in that aspect as well. The difference between the two sides on the top of the table is just 6 goals and it all could change in a matter of 3 matches as well.Arsenal would be looking at a strong home support and the eyes would be glued on the phenomenal Adebayor, the striker as take his goal scoring tally to 15 and is in solid touch and his pairing with the young and talented Fabregas has proved to be the power source for the Gunners this season. Rosicky and Van Persie are the other two in form players and the home team would not be satisfied in anything less than 3 points from this match.Newcastle come into this match after a home draw against Bolton and they would have a highly cautious approach as they were thrashed 6-0 while their last away tie at Man U. This is one of the worst seasons for the team and though it might not be relegated a lot of pride needs to be installed into the side and they would be hoping for a better show next season. Prediction: 3-0, Arsenal win

Newcastle vs Bolton

19/1- Newcastle has been struggling big time this season and that can be seen on the position they reflect in the premiership table. A regular in the top half of the table the team now finds itself in the bottom half and things are not looking good either. They have lost their last 4 matches and the team looks to be down and out. Their 11th spot on the table is a result of their performance in the beginning of the season after which they have not been able to do anything significant. Bolton on the other hand are a struggling unit as well, placed at the 15th position and are out of the relegation zone just because of the better goal difference, they would be hoping to capitalise on the bad form of their opponents and gain some points to move away from the bottom part of the table. Newcastle would be in a state of shock and would enter this match after a match that would haunt them, they were thrashed last week in an away tie at Old Trafford where they went down 6-0 to Man U. They have been performing well at home but need to get everything in place in order to gain some points from this tie, they have managed just a point from the last 5 matches. Martins is their most prolific striker and Zogbia is their pivotal player who has been controlling the game for the team but both these players have to give their best performance for the club to perform well. Bolton come after a loss to Blackburn at home and this would be playing on their mind. They have not won a single match away from home and this would be a hugely determining factor in their approach to this away tie. Anelka and Diouf are their best player by far and both would require to perform well to get their side some crucial points. Prediction: 1-1, draw

Manchester United vs Newcastle

12/1- Manchester United is a team in hot pursuit, they are chasing the league leaders and were leaders themselves before the lost an unexpected match against West Ham. Inarguably the most terrific strikers and a mix of young and experienced payers, the Red Devils would be looking at this Newcastle visit as a 3 point encounter. Manchester United have won 7 of their last ten matches and have won 10 of their 11 encounters at home this season, the only other match being a draw. Newcastle on the other hand are at the 11th spot. Their season has been very average this time and the spark has been missing. Their form seems to have hit an all time low with 3 consecutive defeats in their last 3 matches with the last one being a 0-2 loss against Manchester City. The history between the sides also points to the fact that Man U have always been a dominant force and have registered 16 victories in the past 28 encounters with as many as 9 others drawn.

Manchester United are the home team and have the big advantage for that however they would be hoping that some key players out due to injury can make a quick comeback. On the positive note Christiano Ronaldo seems to be unstoppable with 12 goals this season and he is in great company with Tevez with him. Man U have just conceded 3 goals in 11 matches at home this season and this proves that their defense mechanism is also quite good.

Newcastle on the other hand would be more than happy even if they can manage a draw a scratch out a point from this tie, Arsenal would be hoping that as well as they have a comparatively easier match against Birmingham. Martins and Viduka would have to fire to make the visitors count at Old Trafford.

Prediction: 1-1, tie

Newcastle vs Manchester City

2/1- Newcastle are just a shadow of a team they used to be a few season’s ago and are still probably missing the magic of Shearer but this season’s campaign for them has been far from satisfying.  They are currently placed 13^th on the points table and would be ready to take on the visiting Manchester City team which is placed at the 6^th position on the points table. Manchester City are having a very good season and have been contesting for positions with the top teams but a look at the history between the teams suggests hardly gives a favorite to pick on. Of the last 19 matches played between the two sides each of them have won 7 times while 5 have been draws. So based on the history it is pretty difficult to pick a team that may win this tie.

 

A look at the current form would clearly suggest that the home team has been struggling offlate, they have lost both their matches before this one and the last one was a 2-1 loss to Chelsea in an away tie, a couple of days before the new year. Viduka and Martins have been the two pillars of strength for the side and the home crowd would be hoping that their class and magic can get back some points for the club. Their home record for the season has been impressive and the last two losses have been away from home hence the Newcastle manager would think that the team is in a comparative safer zone.

 

Manchester City, on the other hand just a point behind 4^th placed Liverpool and a victory here would possibly catapult them to over take the reds. The team has drawn all the 3 matches before this encounter and hence would be desperate for the 3 points.

 

Prediction: 1-1

Chelsea vs Newcastle

29/12- While the third placed Chelsea are trying to keep up the pace with Arsenal and Manchester United at the top of the table, the 10^th placed Newcastle United are struggling to maintain their spot in the top half of the table, hence a good match can be expected this Saturday when Chelsea play hosts to the visiting Newcastle team. Both the clubs have been old rivals and there have been 28 encounters between them in the last 15 years, out of which 8 have drawn where as the Blues have won as many as 13 times. This suggests that if we go by history, Chelsea is the stronger side. Coming to the current form of the clubs, Chelsea are coming from a 4-4 draw against Aston Villa at home while Newcastle were beaten 0-1 in an away tie against Wigan.

 

While the home crowd would want them to create an impact with a win it seems to be quite difficult as the Blues would be playing without three of their first choice defenders as Carvalho, who has been injured from some time now was joined by Terry a couple of weeks ago and finally Ashley Cole has been suspended for this match. This will be a huge setback for Murinho’s side but the strikers would have to take up the challenge to score as many goals.

 

Newcastle on the other hand would like to revive their campaign as they have slipped to the 10^th position and are ahead just on the goal difference, they would at least want a point of this game in case they win it would be a great gift for the fans before new year though both like quite difficult in current form except for the case we can see Martins and Viduka breaking apart Chelsea’s depleted defense.

 

Prediction: 3-1, Chelsea win

Wigan vs Newcastle

26/12- A home draw against a struggling Derby county and that too after being put under a lot of pressure and being have to come from behind and save face would have rung alarming bells at Newcastle. The team would have felt that they lost out on two points as could only get a draw but Santa looks to be generous as just a day after Christmas they can make up for it against another struggling team, Wigan. Both teams have earned a point last week, while Wigan holding out a solitary goal draw in an away tie at Fulham, Newcastle were held at home by Derby. Wigan have looked a different side after the return of Emilie Heskey a few weeks ago but if we go by records from this season’s performance they have just managed one victory from their last 10 matches and a mere 2 draws but have ended on the losing side 7 times. Also a look at the clubs’ previous encounters, of the 5 matches played at Wigan the home team have won twice while Newcastle have managed to win one more time. Wigan have been mainly riding on the goals scored by Bent this season but for a majority of the season were missing on a few key players. However now they have a side that is fully fit and available for selection. Though lowly placed they have managed to keep close proximity to other teams and good performances now onwards would still give them a chance to remain in the top league. Newcastle on the other hand would be eager and hungry for points after messing up last week they would like to make up with a full 3 points. Martins and Viduka have been extremely good and a win here can help the club cement its place in the top half of the point table. Prediction: 1-2, Newcastle win

Newcastle vs Derby County

23/12- This tie features the team at the top of the bottom half of the table at 11th spot, Newcastle, hosting the last placed team Derby County. Derby are having a miserable season and their league campaign looks like an attempt to achieve the almost impossible. They are already a distant 7 points behind the second last placed team and their form looks no good as well. Derby go into this match after losing 7 continuous matches, the last one being a 1-0 loss to Middlesbrough while Newcastle have won their last two encounters and the last week’s away victory at Fulham has lifted them to the 11th spot and another victory at home can possibly take them to the top half of the points table.

Derby County have been able to score a mere 6 goals in total and even with a full strength squad look quite depleted against Newcastle. It also implies that the total number of goals scored by the entire Derby team is equal to the number of goals scored by Newscastle the top scorer Martins. Derby would also be keen to make an impression, something that they have not been able to do all this season. There have been a total of 39 goals scored against them in just 17 matches, which comes to more than 2 goals per match on an average.

Newcastle on the other hand would be looking at a big margin victory so that the goal difference for them appears better as a lot of teams are being locked on similar scores. Though the team is missing Owen and Duff, Viduka and Martins have given good attacking options to the side. Overall Newcastle would look at the full three points from this while Derby would even settle for a draw and put an end to their losing streak.

Prediction: 3-0, Newcastle win

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