Newcastle vs Cardiff Preview

Newcastle United’s season has truly been one of two halves. At Christmas time it looked as if the ‘Toon could mount a serious challenge for the European places . But the sale of Yohann Cabaye has precipitated a collapse in recent weeks in particular, and Newcastle have lost their last six Premier League games, putting pressure on manager Alan Pardew.

As an outsider, it does seem extremely difficult to manage a club with such high expectations, who continually sell their best players and don`t replace them. Maybe Pardew has done a poor job of late, but the writing was on the wall for the club`s season as soon as they sold Cabaye. Next season they won`t have Loic Remy either, so the board had better stump up some money or whoever manages them will find it extremely tough going.

Regardless of this, there is no doubt that Cardiff could face tougher opposition than this in what is an absolutely critical match for them. With two games remaining, Cardiff need at least one win to even have a mathematical chance of retaining their Premier League status, and with Chelsea to come on the final day of the season, it seems certain that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be targeting this match against a Newcastle team who really have very little to play for.

Collectively, this could possibly be a meeting between the two most out of form teams in the Premier League. As mentioned previously, Newcastle have lost their last six matches, while Cardiff have lost six of their last ten, with only two wins. The Welsh side also have an absolutely dismal away record, the second worst in the division, having won only twice away from their home ground all season. Usually Newcastle would be strong favourites to win this match, and indeed the bookmakers do favour them to win. But their form is so poor that such an outcome is far from certain, and additionally they have slipped up pretty regularly at St. James’ Park this season. It is in fact their away form which has helped Newcastle secure a respectable finish in the Premier League, as they have won as many games away from home as they have on home turf.

So this is a tricky game to call. The home side certainly has the stronger team on paper, but their confidence must be at an all-time low, and it won’t take much for the long suffering home support to get on the players’ backs. Coupled with the fact that they have little motivation and there may be one or two players in the Magpies’ ranks with their bags already packed for a holiday, then perhaps the Bluebirds can fancy their chances of picking up three points.

But, for me, Cardiff are the worst team in the division, and I’m afraid that I think they’re doomed this season. I think two uninspired outfits will cancel each other out in this one, and the Bluebirds will head into their final game of the season still needing a win to avoid the drop.

Safe Bet – Draw
Value Bet – Newcastle United 1 – 1 Cardiff City

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02/05/2014     © Frixo 2026