Premier League preview: Newcastle v Norwich

Alan Pardew

A European adventure can be wonderful for fans, but, in truth, it’s probably a worrying distraction for a manager. Just ask Alan Pardew.

His Newcastle side have already endured away trips to Greece and Portugal this season, which have pushed their limited squad to the limits. Their 0-0 draw against Maritimo on Thursday, where Pardew left most of his first-teamers at home, identified the lack of depth within the squad.

The busy schedule forced upon the Europa League clubs has been well publicised by managers in recent years, and the there is a statistic emerging that teams returning from a Europa League tie in the week, struggle to perform in their respective league match the following weekend. It is for this reason that Newcastle are a clear lay (1.83) at the current prices against Norwich at St James’ Park on Sunday.

Looking at teams competing in the Europa League last season, both Stoke and Birmingham, who both have similar squad sizes to Newcastle, performed miserably the game following a European game. The Blues only won one of their eight matches after the European games, losing six, whilst Stoke lost four of their six games after Europe, conceding 15 goals in that period.

Obviously it may not prove that significant this weekend for Newcastle as they left the likes of Demba Ba, Hatem Ben Arfa and Jonas Gutierrez at home for the game and they will be pretty well rested. However, the travelling and match itself won’t have helped Pardew’s preparation for Norwich, in terms of training and scouting the opposition. Anyway, there is a feeling that Newcastle have yet to hit the heights of last season yet. The Magpies have won just one of their last six Premier League games and even with a full strength-side, could be vulnerable to the competitive Canaries, who are unbeaten in their last three league games, including a 1-1 draw away at Tottenham.

Norwich have, however, failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 35 Premier League away games, which marginally dampens the enthusiasm for the bet. Still, Newcastle are the clear value to be layed, with the draw or a Norwich win running for you at nearly 6/4.

Elsewhere in the weekend’s other games, QPR, a side that have only taken two points from a possible 33 under Mark Hughes away from home, travel to Tottenham on Sunday in what looks home banker material.

On the Saturday, Chelsea host Stoke, Aston Villa travel to pointless Southampton whilst Reading have a tricky away-day against West Brom.

In terms of weak favourites this weekend, along with Newcastle both West Ham and Wigan look very vulnerable at short prices against Sunderland and Fulham respectively.

Recommendations: 2pts lay on Newcastle (1.83)

Lewis Jones

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