Perez looks a Rafa-lation
IT might be too early to be talking about ‘six-pointers’ but the importance of Cardiff v Newcastle won’t be lost on either manager.
Cardiff will look at the disharmony at St James’ Park and think this is a wonderful opportunity to get their first three points.
Yet this is not just Newcastle United, this is Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United.
And despite last week’s defeat to Spurs – only losing to a goal that crossed the line by just 9mm – the Spaniard has got this set of players to over-perform and with 10 wins from the last 10 meetings, history is on Newcastle’s side.
At the head of that side, Ayoze Perez has impressed greatly.
Now in his fourth season on Tyneside, he is maturing into a player who can deal with the physical test that Premier League football poses.
And while this will certainly be one of those tests, I think he will trouble Cardiff’s backline – feeding off Solomon Rondon – and be the difference.
A 1-0 Newcastle win is 5-1 and Perez to score the goal
(11-2 first scorer,
15-8 anytime). Cardiff, with their direct play, can cause problems but do not have the quality that is needed to make a dent in the Premier League, so 7-5 for Martin Dubravka to keep a clean sheet.
It is not only Tyneside where the storm clouds are gathering, though.
Even Coronation Street cannot compete with the goings-on at Old Trafford.
The whispers and the dissatisfaction emanating from inside the dressing room did not really affect United against Leicester last Friday and while they give off the feeling of a team playing in a straightjacket, their quality still shines.
And there is no question they will have to shine against the dogged defending of Brighton.
But there is a chink in the armour of Chris Hughton’s men – corners against.
United can capitalise on their size and presence at set-pieces and that means striker Romelu Lukaku (21-20) who should return to the starting line-up and Eric Bailly (11-1) could find themselves in good positions. The World Cup form of Spain international David De Gea (left) should bode well so a clean sheet double of De Gea and Dubravka looks strong.