Could the tables turn at bottom?
RELEGATION FIGHT GOES ON WITHOUT THE MAGPIES
NEWCASTLE United may not be in Premier League action this weekend – but five of their relegation rivals are.
While the Magpies enjoy a fourday training camp in Spain and a friendly consisting of three 45-minute thirds against Belgian outfit Royal Antwerp tomorrow, the English top-flight relegation dogfight continues in earnest.
Newcastle cannot slip into the bottom three due to the fact they are five points clear of the drop zone.
However, they can fall down the table and the teams below them can make up ground on Rafa Benitez’s side.
Here, NUFC writer Chris Waugh previews the three Premier League matches featuring relegationthreatened sides – and predicts where the Magpies will be in the table come tomorrow evening...
STOKE CITY v EVERTON (Today, 3pm)
An away win would be preferable for Newcastle here as it would keep second-bottom Stoke five points adrift of the Magpies.
However, Sam Allardyce’s Toffees are extremely poor on their travels and ninth-placed Everton are practically safe already with their 37-point haul.
Stoke, meanwhile, are in desperate need of the points and, given the game is at the Bet365 Stadium, are favourites for this one.
A draw appears likely, which is not the worst result in the world, but it will mean the Potters will move up to 28 points – four behind United. Chris’ prediction: 1-1
HUDDERSFIELD v CRYSTAL PALACE (Today 3pm)
In one sense a draw would be a decent result for Newcastle here, as it would ensure Huddersfield remain below United in the table.
Then again, it would also see third-bottom Palace reduce the gap to Newcastle to four points.
A win for Roy Hodgson’s men would even see them move to within two of Benitez’s side, which would be the worst-case scenario for Newcastle in terms of this match.
The return of Wilfried Zaha off the bench against Chelsea last weekend really reinvigorated the Eagles, who have lost the momentum they gained under Hodgson earlier in the season.
Yet even with Zaha returning to bolster Palace’s attack, Huddersfield have a good record at the John Smith’s Stadium – and, after failing to claim all three points against Swansea City last time out, they should win this one.
That would leave Palace five points adrift of United – but the Terriers would leapfrog Newcastle and move on to 34 points. Chris’ prediction: 2-1
BOURNEMOUTH v WEST BROM (Today 3pm)
Alan Pardew’s stay of execution at The Hawthorns appears set to continue indefinitely – and he may even remain in situ at West Brom until the end of the season.
The Baggies have lost seven in a row, appear to have accepted they will be relegated this term and are reluctant to pay Pardew compensation – while there are also a lack of obvious alternatives with which to replace the former Newcastle manager.
West Brom’s capitulation during the second half against Leicester City last weekend was woeful.
That should give a good Bournemouth side the confidence they can bounce back from a 4-1 defeat of their own at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur.
This result only looks like going one way – and it will see Bournemouth move four points ahead of Newcastle and just about safe.
It will be just another step towards what appears to be inevitable relegation for the Baggies. Chris’ prediction: 2-0