Newcastle – Arsenal

After the great start in Premier, the Toon started to slowing down. In the last 3 home games, they noticed just one point against the sides from the bottom side of the table (Blackpool, Stoke and Wigan) and in all of those 3 conceded twice. In the previous round, they defeated Chelsea at Stamford (reserve squad though) in the game where Chris Hughton made 10 changes in the team. Something like that, he already announced. Newcastle tonight will be mix of fringe players and youngsters. They also have a big derby clash on the corner, home against Sunderland and that’s another reason for first teamers not to be risked. The Toon have only one win against Arsenal in last 19 competitive games and haven’t won in last 7 Cup games (since 1952)!

The Gunners are travelling to the north in a great mood. They demolished City at weekend and boosted their self confidence. Also, some important players (Fabregas, Walcott,Bendtner, Denilson) have been recovered from the injuries. In the previous round in city derby, they eliminated Spurs away, in the game where Wenger rotated players (as usual), but because the number of players in rotation (and their quality) that squad is always more than respectable. Arsenal have good tradition in this competition, but probably more important reason is Wenger’s desire to win a silverware (or better to say, pressure on him to win it). And in situation where Spurs, Chelsea and Man City already finished their appearance in Cup, Arsenal are favorites to win it (beside Man Utd, of course).

This surely won’t be a walk at the St James Park for the Wenger’s kids. Newcastle beat Chelsea away with the same team that probably will be tonight. They gained a huge amount of self confidence and will put their best in this game. But, on the other side will be much more serious eleven than at Stamford. Arsenal are in big uptrend, want a trophy and this should be just one station on the road to Wembley. Beside away win, I expect some counter attack that should finish the job before the end of 90 minutes.

Bet: Arsenal -0.75
Odd: 2.13 Canbet
Stake: 8/10

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Newcastle 2-2 WBA

Peter Lovenkrands scored an emotional equaliser as Newcastle drew with West Brom and extended their lead at the top of the Championship to three points.
Jonas Olsson's neat finish from Graham Dorrans' cross gave the visitors the lead before a brilliant free-kick from Danny Guthrie levelled the score. 
Roman Bednar headed the Baggies back in front only 32 seconds after the break. 
But Lovenkrands, whose father died last week, headed home Jose Enrique's cross to claim a draw for the Magpies. 
The Danish striker was expected to miss the game to be with his family but opted to stay and play in memory of his father. 
And Newcastle fans will certainly be glad he did after his goal ensured their unbeaten home record in the Championship this season goes on. 
West Brom, who have not won at St James' Park since 1977, were the better side for long periods and manager Roberto Di Matteo will at least be glad to see a much-improved display from their defeat against Nottingham Forest 10 days ago.
The game was a Premier League fixture last season and the entertainment this time round was of top-flight rather than second-tier quality.

Newcastle manager Chris Hughton:
"Overall I thought it was a fair result and a very good game for the neutral. We showed a lot of character to come back twice from a goal down.
"The game became very open and it could have gone either way. 
"We should have had a penalty. The lad just goes across Andy (Carroll) and it was a blatant block. 
"Peter (Lovenkrands) wanted to play and for him to go and get a goal for us is superb. Great credit for him." 
West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo:
"I think it was a good point for Newcastle. We should have probably won the game, I think we deserved the three points.
"I thought we were good in all departments. We scored good goals and created lots of chances. We just couldn't get a hold of the lead when we had one. 
"We thought we could win tonight and get something out of the game and it looked for a long time that we would win it."

Newcastle 3-1 Middlesbrough

Alan Shearer made a substitution with the Midas Touch as Newcastle United got the victory that could preserve their Premier League status and condemn Middlesbrough to life in the Championship. 
Manager Shearer gambled when he replaced Michael Owen with Obafemi Martins 20 minutes from time with the scoreline locked at 1-1 - an outcome unsuitable to either side as they went in search of the victory required to keep their survival hopes alive. 
It was a ploy that paid off in spectacular style as Martins scored within seconds, turning on a loose ball inside the area to shoot low past Middlesbrough keeper Brad Jones and send St James' Park into ecstasy. 
Middlesbrough's spirit was broken after a brave fight, and their fate in this match - and in all likelihood this season - was sealed when another Shearer substitute, Peter Lovenkrands, slammed home Newcastle's third from close range with four minutes remaining. 
It marked a dramatic change in fortune for Shearer, who had failed to record a victory since taking temporary charge at St James' Park in a bid to rescue Newcastle from relegation. 
Newcastle now also have the psychological advantage of moving out of the bottom three and plunging Phil Brown's Hull City into the relegation places as the season reaches its climax.

Newcastle: Harper, Beye, Steven Taylor, Bassong, Duff, Guthrie, Butt, Nolan, Gutierrez (Lovenkrands 65), Owen (Martins 70), Viduka (Carroll 87).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Coloccini, Ryan Taylor, LuaLua. 
Booked: Butt, Duff, Nolan. 
Goals: Steven Taylor 9, Martins 71, Lovenkrands 86. 

Middlesbrough: Jones, Hoyte, Bates, Huth, Taylor (Adam Johnson 76), Downing, O'Neil, Shawky (Aliadiere 69), Sanli, Emnes, Alves (King 36).
Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Arca, McMahon, Grounds. 
Booked: Bates. 
Goals: Beye 3 og. 

Att: 51,252 
Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).
www.bbc.co.uk

Newcastle United - Middlesbrough

I think everybody who loves home side is trying to find the answer on question: How did it happen?! Big club, excellent players (expensive, too), unlimited support by fans… Logic position would be a place that lead to European competition. But, current situation is different, 18th position on the table, three points under the line, last win was 07.02.2009.(WBA on the road)! Club’s owner announced that he will sell the club if relegate. Even club’s legend Alan Shearer, who btw. grab just two points from five games, (also grab a million for a two months job) can’t help. Anyway, everybody talks about very good atmosphere in a dressing room. Hard to imagine. As their current position, however. Good news came from Hull, where hosts lost their game against Stoke, yesterday. It means, with three points the Magpies would skip them. At the last round Newcastle was crashed at Anfield. Big mistakes by defense line were punished with three goals. Things went even worse when Joey Barton got a red card (three games suspension). Rumors say he finished not just a season, but the career at St James. Another good news is injury list, that is decreasing. Just Alan Smith won’t be available, while Jose Enrique is struggling to shake off a hamstring injury. The hosts will be fully motivated, they’re better side than visitors and only thing left is to show it on the pitch.

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If I feel no sorry for home side, then I definitely don’t know what to say about visitors. In the previous season, they bravely avoided relegation. Then instead buying some quality players, they even sold the bests. Wrong strategy by club’s management had a culmination when Gareth Southgate was appointed for a manager. I won’t use hard words, but he simply is not capable to lead one Premier League team. So, different reasons for being under the line, then Newcastle. Bad team, bad manager, they’re fully deserved the relegation. Here is one Gareth’s thought (for BBC): "We are probably closer to survival than we were eight weeks ago because the tally needed to stay up seems to reduce every week." The funny thing is if they somehow win tonight, then they would be one step from avoiding relegation, sending Newcastle in Championship. But, their performances on the road don’t support that scenario. Just two wins (and two draws) from 17 games, with just 9 scored goals and 32 conceded, six competitive defeats in a row and just a single point from last 11 away games! Defender Andrew Taylor returns to the squad, while other two defenders Emanuel Pogatetz (knee) and Chris Riggott (ankle) are out.

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For Newcastle, moving into Championship would be a shame. For Boro, avoiding relegation would be a great achieve. Both sides have the last opportunity. I expect open game from the start where Boro’s defense (more likely than Newcastle’s attack) will decide the game. Over is also very good choice, but I go for a home side. Pinnacle offers 2.06. Home win.

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My second pick for today will be the play-off game in Championship. But, more about that later. Stay tuned.

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