Newcastle United face Anzhi tonight as the Magpies look to make it into the quarter finals of the Europa League. There might not be much in terms of Premier League betting for Newcastle, as Alan Pardew’s men look to be safe from relegation, but the Magpies might be a good outside between for the second tier of European competition.
Newcastle have been pretty solid since the turn of the year in the Europa League. They may only have scored once in the competition in 2013, a Shola Ameobi penalty against Metalist Kharkiv, but they have registered three consecutive clean sheets. A fourth today at St James Park should see them progress to the next round.
Despite switching players around for European Competition, with Alan Pardew not even making first choice right back Mathieu Debuchy eligible for the tournament, Newcastle have been very tight at the back. Danny Simpson has filled in at right full back, with Massimo Haidara getting a run out at left back. However, it is the middle of the back line that has starred, with Steven Taylor and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa performing with aplomb.
So, with the defence in good working order, it will be all about the midfielders and forwards tonight as Newcastle look for that goal that will likely be enough to take them into the next round. Having scored late on in the victory against Stoke at the week, Papiss Cisse will be looking to continue on the scoring trail and rediscover the form that saw him be so lethal in front of goal last season.
Can Newcastle win tonight? If they can, then there’s no saying how far they could go in the tournament. Could a date in Amsterdam in May await them?
