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2011-10-26 - Blackburn Rovers vs Newcastle United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : English Carling Cup 4th Round
Wednesday 26 October 2011 - Kickoff 7:45pm
Blackburn Rovers
Steve Kean is under intense pressure as the home fans had yet another protest against his management of the club after the 1-2 home loss to Tottenham on Sunday. He was also given another 'vote of confidence' from the owners, but you have to think they have one finger on the trigger to terminate his contract as manager.
The defeat to Tottenham left Blackburn at the bottom of the table, and they have only picked up 5 points this season, winning 1 of their opening 9 games. Rovers are 1-0-4 at home this season, scoring 6 goals and conceding 12, but they have won back to back games here in the Carling Cup against Sheffield Wednesday and Leyton Orient.
Blackburn have lost 3 of their last 4 games coming into this one, and have been conceding goals for fun with at least 2 goals being conceded in 3 of those games. Rovers have not kept a clean sheet at home this season, and they have conceded at least 2 goals in each of their last 4 games here.
Michel Salgado missed the game on Sunday against Spurs and looks likely to miss this one too. David Dunn and Ryan Nelson are both out.
Newcastle United
Alan Pardew has done a fantastic job so far this season, but the games in the fixture list coming up are going to test him much more than most this season. He is sure to take this competition seriously as the Toon Army have been starved of silverware for far too long, and winning something would cement all the supporters firmly behind him.
The Magpies are up to 4th in the Premier League, with the same amount of points as Chelsea and only 1 point behind Manchester United. They are 2-2-0 away from home this season, scoring 4 goals and conceding 2, and they have also won games at Scunthorpe United and Nottingham Forest away from home in this competition, albeit both taking Newcastle extra time to complete the job.
Newcastle are unbeaten in all 11 games they have played this season, winning 5 of those games in normal time, and they come in to this one in plenty of form as they have won 3 of their last 4 games. The team have both scored and conceded in their last 3 away games in all competitions.
Shola Ameobi has been ruled out for the next 6 weeks with a hamstring injury, while Cheik Tiote is out and Steven Taylor needs a late fitness test.
Head to Head
Newcastle United beat Blackburn Rovers 3-1 at St James' Park at the end of September in the Premier League.
Blackburn Rovers drew 0-0 with the Magpies here last season, but 7 of the previous 8 games between the two teams at Ewood Park have seen at least 3 goals scored.
Blackburn had won the previous 2 home games against Newcastle before the 0-0 draw last season.
Prediction
I have to imagine that neither of these teams would really want extra time with a full Premier League schedule on Saturday and so I think both managers will get their sides to play attacking football.
Blackburn have found it hard to stop shipping goals all season, but they are capable of getting on the scoresheet themselves and I think Steve Kean will want his side to go and attack from the off so the crowd does not get on his back as they have in the last couple of home games.
Newcastle themselves have looked a little more vulnerable at the back in their away games, but they too are more than capable of scoring and I think their fast start to the season means Alan Pardew will play a strong team as the Magpies will feel they can win this competition.
With all that in mind, I am going to back the 'Over 2.5 Goals' at a shade under evens- this should have a chance of coming in with both teams attacking and the possibility of a counter attack goal even if one of the sides is winning 2-0.
History has also shown these teams to being involved in high scoring games at Ewood Park against one another so I will be hoping for one more game with goals.
The Pick :
Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Newcastle United
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.92
