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Michael Owen gets in early with prediction for Newcastle v Watford

5 years ago
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Michael Owen has got in early with his forecast for what will happen at St James Park on Saturday.

As he points out, Newcastle have only once before failed to win any of their first 10 matches, that happened in 1898/99 and they eventually avoided relegation.

Newcastle made it only one win in their last 25 games away at Southampton when getting a goalless draw at St Mary’s and Michael Owen says that ‘Under normal circumstances’ that would ave been a good point.

I’m not sure we ever have ‘normal circumstances’ at Newcastle United and certainly the situation at the minute is a nightmare.

Watford arrive full of confidence after hammering Huddersfield 3-0 and they already have 19 points, 16 more than Newcastle.

When you factor in the stat that Newcastle have lost all five home matches so far, it hardly lifts the spirits.

However, the last game at St James Park should have seen Newcastle beat Brighton and if they take their chances this time, that could see a starting point for Rafa Benitez.

Newcastle have shown there isn’t a lot wrong with their defending, only losing by one goal to each of the big six clubs they have faced, whilst clean sheets against Palace, Cardiff and Southampton back up the ability of the likes of Dubravka, Lascelles and Fernandez.

Rafa needs to find some goals and some luck, with much pinned on a hopefully fit Salomon Rondon helping to supply both.

Michael Owen thinks Newcastle can ‘at least take a point’ on Saturday but with 16 goals already, you have to think Watford will be dangerous opponents.

Newcastle only have the six goals so far and unless they can find at least a couple against the Hornets, it could be a tough 90 minutes

Last season saw Watford win 3-0 at St James Park and anything similar to that would really rock Rafa, the players and the fans.

Two home games in a row (Bournemouth next weekend) is a massive opportunity for NUFC but they ave to step up if they are to grasp it.

Michael Owen talking to BetVictor:

“Under normal circumstances, a good point for Newcastle at Southampton at the weekend.

“But another blank in front of goal and United have failed to win any of their opening 10 matches of a league season for just the second time in their history – last doing so 120 years ago, back in the 1898-99 top-flight campaign.

“The Magpies have lost their first five PL home games.

“But I feel they can at least take a point against a Hornets side who have bounced back in recent games after their own poor run.

“Nineteen points from their first 10 games is Watford’s best-ever start to a PL campaign, but I feel they will have to make do with a draw at St James’s Park.

“Tip: Game to finish in a draw at  11/5.”

Newcastle v Watford Match Betting:

Newcastle win 17/10Draw 11/5Watford win 15/8

NUFC to win 1-0 7/1 Rondon to score the first goal 6/1NUFC to score in both halves 29/10

All Newcastle v Watford betting HERE

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