Under-Pressure Pardew Needs Swansea Result

Newcastle United travel to Wales tomorrow (4th October) knowing that another defeat could spell the end of the reign of their terminally under-pressure manager Alan Pardew. The Magpies face Swansea who are hoping to wave goodbye to their own poor run of Premier League results having failed to secure a win in three top flight games. The Swans kicked off September having racked up three straight victories in the league in August but came unstuck in a 4-2 defeat against title pace-setters Chelsea. Garry Monks` men then failed to score in their narrow 1-0 loss at the hands of Southampton, a late Victor Wanyama strike proving the difference between the two teams, before tying with Sunderland in a goalless draw last time out. Despite their less than impressive recent form, the top tier`s only Welsh side sit in fifth and could move as high as second should other results go their way.

This is in stark contrast to 19th placed Newcastle who are yet to record a win in the Premier League this season. A dazzling performance and brace from second-half substitute Papis Cisse saw Pardew`s side come back from 2-0 down to draw at home to Hull City before last Saturday saw the Tyneside outfit undone by a single Peter Crouch goal away at Stoke. Owner Mike Ashley had apparently told a reporter that a loss against the Potters would see the former Southampton boss sacked, though this did not come to fruition. A rich vein of form in the Capital One Cup won`t give fans confidence until games have been won in the league and their club have moved clear of the relegation places. A win over Swansea tomorrow could see United up to 17th and would be considered a good start in their efforts to improve. Superiorly placed Swansea are, however, the 37/40 (Betvictor) favourites for success with away fans expected to protest at Pardew`s tenure from the off. Another Liberty Stadium win would see Monk`s side the victors in three of their last four home matches, a superb statistic for a club expected to be mid-table at best come the end of the season. Eleven to four with boylesports says that the match will end a draw whilst a seemingly unlikely Newcastle win can be backed at 7/2 with a number of bookmakers.

The Magpies` gaffer will be able to select his team from a fully fit squad of players with Hull hero Cisse expected to start despite having to undergo a late fitness test before the Swansea clash. The 29-year-old Senegalese striker was waylaid for five months after having surgery on the patella he fractured during last season`s clash at home to Swansea. He is 7/2 with betfair to avenge his absence with a goal at any time tomorrow and can be backed at 40/1 to score two or more for the second time in three games.

City have something of a dilemma at right-back, however, as Angel Rangel`s suspension and an injury to Dwight Tendalli may mean that Jazz Richards will make his first league start since 2011, the year the Swans won promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history. The Welshman played in the centre of midfield as he started in a 4-3 Championship win over Middlesbrough back on 12th February 2011. Rangel`s sending off against Sunderland made him the second Whites` player in as many league games to see red after Wilfried Bony was dismissed against Southampton.

Having served his suspension, Bony is set to return to the starting line-up ahead of goalless Bafetembi Gomis. Cisse`s Senegalese compatriot is being offered at 7/5 (bet365) to grab a goal at any time and 9/2 (bet365, betfair, Coral, paddy Power) to break the deadlock.

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03/10/2014     © Frixo 2026