Betting Update; Tottenham v Newcastle with the bookmakers making Tottenham their 8/11 favourites

Added: (Fri Apr 17 2009)

Pressbox (Press Release) - Alan Shearer now has his feet firmly under the desk at St James� Park � but his arrival has done little to change the bookies� view of Newcastle�s relegation chances.

The Magpies remain 5/6 (Boylesports) third favourites to be playing Championship football next season after Shearer picked up just one point from his first two matches in charge � a 1-1 draw at Stoke City last weekend. On the face of it that may have looked a good result against opponents with an excellent home record but in reality Tyneside fans will know they needed three points against Stoke because it was one of their few remaining winnable fixtures this season.

Now Newcastle travel to White Hart Lane and the bookies give them little chance of coming away with anything. Spurs are 8/11 (Skybet) to win, with Newcastle 24/5 (Victor Chandler) and the draw 11/4 (Blue Square, Coral).

It�s easy to see why Tottenham are such a short price, as they�ve been excellent at home since Harry Redknapp took over: just one defeat in 12 on their own patch is testament to what a terrific job the former Portsmouth boss has done since he arrived. Last week�s gritty 1-0 win over West Ham was typical of the sort of result Spurs have ground out in their quest to qualify for Europe.

The hosts� chances of claiming a European spot through the league are still very much alive, which is why they�ll be 100% motivated for this match. And that sole home defeat in the five-and-a-half months since Redknapp became boss was against Everton � far tougher opponents than Newcastle.

This looks a home banker to me, but rather than backing Spurs to take all three points I prefer them on the Asian handicap. If Tottenham go ahead and Newcastle end up chasing the game I can see the hosts running out easy winners � so I favour Spurs with a -1-goal start at 29/25 (Bet365). If you�re confident Tottenham will win by two goals or more, you can back them with a -1.5-goal start on the Asian handicap at 183/100 (Bet365).

I also expect a high-scoring encounter because both teams are better at attacking than defending. Redknapp is always willing to let his players off the lease and will have spotted enough weaknesses in the Newcastle defence in Shearer�s two matches in charge to encourage his side to have a real go. Roman Pavlyuchenko (2/1 to score anytime with Blue Square and Bwin and 6/1 to be first goalscorer with Bwin and Paddy Power) has found a bit of form, so he�s worth considering to find the target, and competition for places among Spurs� other attacking options should ensure a committed performance from whoever�s selected up front.

Given the attacking play both sides favour, I�m surprised to see over 2.5 goals as the outsider of two. Under 2.5 goals is a best-priced 880/1,000 (Ladbrokes) and over 2.5 goals is 21/20 (Bet365) � so I�m backing three goals or more.


Recommended Bets - 2pts Tottenham -1 Asian handicap (29/25)
Recommended Bets - 2pts Over 2.5 goals (21/20)


� All prices correct at time of writing.

ABOUT EASYODDS.COM

easyodds.com is a comprehensive sport betting service that helps you find the BEST ODDS on offer from leading bookmakers, betting exchanges and spread betting firms and then helps you place your bet at the BestPrice.

FREE to register!
www.easyodds.com

Andrew Newton
Managing Editor
020 7691 0660