Bookies putting the Magpies in the thick of a relegation battle

NEWCASTLE United find themselves embroiled in a relegation battle in the Premier League.

Unfortunately, the bookmakers like the majority of last season aren’t forecasting United will get out of trouble easily.

Failure to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford means the club have experienced a similar start to the 2015/16 campaign - a season that ended in relegation.

Back then Newcastle actually had one more point on the board at this stage before winning their ninth game as they thrashed Norwich City 6-2 under Steve McClaren.

Toon fans have another fortnight to wait to see how their side will get on at home to Brighton at St James’ Park.

Worryingly the bookies are expecting a close run thing in the scrap for survival.

The majority of bookies still feel that Cardiff City will finish bottom while they see Huddersfield Town as the second team to go down.

Newcastle are then one of three teams with similar odds to occupy the third relegation spot.

Like Burnley and Fulham – who were walloped 5-1 by Arsenal at home this weekend – Newcastle are 9/4 to be relegated with Bet 365 and 188 Bet while Coral offering odds of 15/8 for the Clarets and the Magpies.

But some of the sides that were expected to struggle have now been handed massive odds by some bookmakers.

Newly-promoted Wolves are now 150/1 in the eyes of Sky Bet while Bournemouth, who beat Watford 4-0 away from home, are now 66/1 with Bet Victor.

The majority of bookies expect it to be a tight battle for survival between Cardiff, Huddersfield, Fulham, Burnley, Newcastle, Southampton, Brighton and Crystal Palace.