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Not sure if Paul Merson is being sarcastic about Newcastle United here “Wow. What a game this is.”

5 years ago
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Paul has been looking ahead to today’s Huddersfield v Newcastle match.

The game sees the division’s two lowest goalscorers with only 23 goals (Huddersfield 10 and Newcastle 13) from a combined 32 matches this season.

It gets even worse when you consider the Terriers have scored only three at home and six for the Magpies away.

If ever there was a match when the first (any!) goal was crucial, then this is surely it.

Not sure if Paul Merson is being sarcastic when he opens up with ‘Wow. What a game this is.’

He does later say it is a ‘massive’ game in terms of the relegation battle but I would have to accept for neutrals that this is the match you would look to avoid.

Even the fans of the two clubs involved will see this clash as a racing certainty to be last on Match of The Day tonight.

However, goals do change games, no question, and Newcastle have recently shown a tendency to score or concede early on in games, thus changing the dynamic of these matches.

Indeed, in every one of these last five NUFC games, there has been a goal in the first 19 minutes. If we get the same today, then maybe we could see a far better and more open match than is expected…

Newcastle scored in the first 19 minutes against Bournemouth, Burnley and Everton, picking up two wins and a draw. Whilst they conceded in the opening 19 against West Ham and Wolves, losing both.

As well as the struggles of the two teams to create and score goals, the two managers are each missing half a dozen players through injury and suspension.

Huddersfield fans are despairing of their strikers but at least Salomon Rondon is giving Newcastle fans some hope of running into form

Paul Merson goes for the coward’s way out and predicts a 1-1 draw in a ‘nervy’ game.

Call me mad but I think this could be one where if Rafa’s team can find the first goal, especially if early on again, then I think Newcastle will go on to win by two or three.

It is seven months now since Newcastle United won any match by more than a single goal, today they just may go (relatively) goal crazy.

A win of course would mean Newcastle could potentially go six points clear of the drop zone and at the very least ensure they wouldn’t be in the bottom three at Christmas.

Paul Merson speaking to Sky Sports:

“Wow. What a game this is.

“Last week was a kick in the teeth for Newcastle, having a player sent off and then losing with the last kick of the game against Wolves, after going to Everton and riding your luck for a point.

“This is a massive game.

“It’ll be nervy, so I’m going for a low-scoring draw.

“It’s so tight at the bottom and you can’t rule anyone in or out at the moment.

“Prediction is Huddersfield 1 Newcastle 1.”

Huddersfield v Newcastle Match Betting:

Huddersfield win 8/5Draw 11/5Newcastle win 85/40

Rondon score first goal 13/2NUFC win 1-0 7/13 or more match goals in first half 15/2

All Huddersfield v Newcastle betting HERE

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