The pantomime season has been in full swing for several months at St James’ Park, with the club once again proving to be a laughing stock. Mike Ashley is still trying to sell the club, while Joe Kinnear’s touchline antics have regularly landed him in hot water with the FA. Newcastle are without a win in their last five matches, and its hard to see them bucking that trend on Sunday, even at odds of 11/4 (Blue Square).
To be fair to the Magpies, they have drawn their past four league matches, including a creditable stalemate at Stamford Bridge. However, the way that the team lost a two-goal lead against Stoke last weekend must surely have dented their confidence. If you think that Portsmouth are good for the win, they are currently available at 11/10 (Paddy Power). It’s a 12/5 chance (Boylesports) that the match ends honours even.
Fratton Park hasn’t exactly been a fortress for Pompey this term, with Tony Adams’ men only just edging their last home game against Blackburn. Previously to this, they have failed to beat Fulham, Wigan and Hull, which might lead some to consider laying the south coast club at 2.16 (betfair). However, a value proposition surely lies in the 13/8 (Boylesports) about Jermain Defoe scoring at any time, especially as the striker has scored three in his past five matches. The England man could be the difference between the two sides, and is 9/2 (William Hill) to open the scoring.
Defoe will have to breach a defence that has been uncharacteristically stout of late. They’ve enjoyed (!) back-to-back goalless draws at Chelsea and Middlesbrough, and its 10/1 (Sportingbet) that neither goalkeeper is left picking the ball out of the net. For the visitors, the likeliest player to ripple the onion bag is Michael Owen, who bagged a brace against Stoke on Saturday. The former Liverpool man is 7/1 (Boylesports) to put Newcastle in front at Fratton Park, although the fact that United have failed to win away all season makes the Newcastle HT Portsmouth FT wager an attractive proposition at 28/1 (bet365).