NEWCASTLE UNITED v BLACKPOOL
Football : English Premier League
Saturday, September 11th 2010 - Start 3:00PM GMT

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NEWCASTLE UNITED

St. James Park is a happy place right now, as the team managed by Chris Hughton have returned from the lower division and currently sit 8th after a loss, win and a draw. The solitary win here came in the only game they have played in front of the Toon army, and with that kind of support likely again, they look good value to tonk Blackpool, just like they did to Aston Villa.

Like Arsenal's Theo Walcott, Newcastle's Andy Carroll has netted 4 goals in 3 league games this season, including a hat-trick against Aston Villa. It was his first career hat-trick and that sort of thing does wonders for a players confidence. He was rested for international duty with the Under 21s, so will be fresh and rested for this one.

Also likely to make an appearance on Saturday will be Sol Campbell, who joined from Arsenal on a free transfer. The ex-England defender is a class act, and can be relied on 100% to give 200% every single time he steps on the pitch.

BLACKPOOL

Blackpool began their first ever season in the Premier League with a bang, going to Wigan and plundering 4 goals in a win to nil. They've since lost (convincingly) to Arsenal but a 2-2 draw with Fulham shows these guys are not going to go down without a fight.

Newcastle are a tough side, that did excellently in bouncing back from relegation, but can they beat a side that clearly has a lot of well founded belief in itself?

Blackpool have overachieved so far on paper. Looking at Wigan away, Arsenal away and Fulham at home, one would not have expected them to have 4 points at this point. But they do.

Ian Holloway has his team playing attacking football where they try and outscore all the opponents but in the Premiership, that tactic does not work because you face the kind of opponents you won't meet anywhere else. The match against Arsenal 2 weeks ago is a good example.

DJ Campbell has been signed from Leicester and will probably start this match. Luke Varney will continue as a starter too, after he scored on his debut against Fulham.

As far as strategy is concerned, I expect Holloway to again go back to focusing on attack rather than defence, and although this is not a top 4 side, Newcastle proved against Villa that if you try this with them at St. James Park, you're in for a nasty surprise.

BETTING VERDICT

Yes, Newcastle have come to the Premier League with Blackpool, but these 2 teams are not equals. Blackpool will have a go, and get hit hard and fast on the break. Blackpool may score here, but Newcastle will definitely score more.

Home win.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Newcastle United to win

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Newcastle United to win at 1.65 (Pinnacle)

Consider Over 2.5 goals at 1.80 (Pinnacle)