Newcastle – WBA 30.11.2013

Newcastle United host West Bromwich Albion on day 13 of the new Premier League campaign

and the Magpies will be looking to continue their three-match winning run on Saturday afternoon. The visitors, though, should be written off as they have a decent squad this term.

Newcastle United have not made a flying start to the season, but in recent weeks the Magpies have been producing scintillating showings, with the team outplaying the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham and Norwich City in last three rounds. Alan Pardew relies on number of French players and there is no doubt that on-loan striker Loic Remi is the best of the rest at the moment. The Queens Park Rangers player has scored eight goals in the new Premier League campaign and he will be the main threat for the Baggies at St. James’ Park. His compatriot Yoan Gouffran has also raised his form of late and seeing that Alan Pardew has no fresh injury worries ahead of the match, I believe that there is a big value in betting on the hosts this time out. When the two teams met in Newcastle last season the Magpies recorded a 2-1 win, with Demba Ba and Cisse scoring for the hosts.

West Bromwich Albion failed to defeat Chelsea and Aston Villa in two previous rounds, but due to the lack of fortune. The Baggies were on the verge of triumph against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but the Blues were awarded a comical penalty in the dying minutes of the match and, on Monday, the team dropped a two-goal advantage in West Midlands derby against Aston Villa. Steve Clarke can count on the likes of Sessegnon, Brunt and Long and the team look very solid this season, but they have been struggling on the travels of late. The Baggies have not recorded a victory in last three away fixtures and the team generally produce much better displays at the Hawthorns. Considering that WBA have yet to pick up a victory in October, I am not tempted to back the visitors to emerge triumphant at St. James’ Park.