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Mark Lawrenson – Rafa Benitez has to face up to likely Mike Ashley signing free January…again

6 years ago
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Mark Lawrenson says that if Rafa Benitez thinks he has got it bad, he should look at his opposite number this weekend.

The BBC Sport pundit says that Rafa looks set to probably have another frustrating transfer window where he isn’t backed by Mike Ashley to get the signings he needs/wants – but that even if no new players arrive at Newcastle, the Magpies still have more chance of staying up than Swansea.

Well if Newcastle haven’t got more chance of staying up than rock bottom Swansea, then who would they?

New Swansea boss Carlos Carvalhal confirmed on Thursday that he has been promised money to spend and that he doesn’t have to sell any of his best players.

If Newcastle win tomorrow then it would put them nine points ahead of the Welsh club, pretty much making sure that it is one club they can rule out catching them.

Mark Lawrenson thinks Rafa  will have to ‘just get on with things’ if as expected he gets no support from Ashley this month, something which he is no doubt coming to realise is the way of things at St James Park.

Just how long the Newcastle manager will be prepared to put up with the owner’s behaviour if there is no sale of the club, is anybody’s guess.

In the short-term, Lawrenson thinks Newcastle will be ok tomorrow and grab another three points towards safety, via a two goal home win.

Mark Lawrenson taking to BBC Sport:

“Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez is still trying to bring players in – but might have to face up to the fact that this is going to be a frustrating month for him and just get on with things.

“Even if they don’t sign anyone, I would still give the Magpies more hope of staying up than Swansea.

“Swansea also need new players but I don’t know who they will be able to sign that could make a difference and, from the sounds of it, neither does their new manager Carlos Carvalhal.

“If Rafa thinks he has it hard, then he should probably ask Carvalhal what he is thinking at the moment.

“Prediction: Newcastle 2 Swansea 0.”

Newcastle v Swansea Match Betting:

Newcastle win 10/11Draw 12/5Swansea win 19/5

Newcastle win 3-1 19/1Shelvey to score first goal 12/1Gayle to score in both halves 22/1

All Newcastle v Swansea betting HERE

New customers to BetVictor qualify for up to a £40 welcome bonus in free bets.

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