Newcastle v Sunderland Season Bet

One of the great English Premier League rivalries, between Newcastle United and Sunderland, producing great Tyne and Wear derby matches for the season, has seen the two sides comparatively close together during the 2012/13 season. Unfortunately for both the Magpies and the Black Cats, it has been at the wrong end of the table for most of it. One great alternative football betting market is Season Match Betting, and there is still plenty of life left in the Newcastle v Sunderland Season match bet for the Premier League 2012/13. Simply put, who will finish above the other when the whistle is blown for full time on Sunday, May 19th?

Both sides have had their struggles this season, both at the back and in finding the goals necessary to produce a good season. For the Magpies, it is a long fall from grace from the high finish they produced last season and while Sunderland were looking relatively solid, some terrible form over the second half of the season saw them slide towards the danger zone. It was a slide which saw the ousting of Martin O’Neill and the arrival of the somewhat controversial figure of Paolo Di Canio on Wearside. With three matches remaining on the season for both of them, the old rivals were sat level on 37 points each and both still scraping against relegation, perhaps having done just enough to stay up and fight another season in the top flight.

Newcastle’s run in for the 2012/13 Premier League season saw them have to face up to a finish with two games on the road. Taking in trips to West Ham and the already relegated QPR may give them enough of breathing space if they show enough courage for the battle. A 6-0 drubbing at home by Liverpool at the end of April didn’t do their confidence the power of good at all. Newcastle will round off the season back at St James Park in the toughest match of their final three, a game against Arsenal, with Arsene Wenger’s men embroiled in the race to book a Champions League spot. So Alan Pardew’s men will want to use the two matches before that meeting to get precious points on the board. Bookies are edging Newcastle to win the season match by, offering odds of 8/15 against Sunderland’s price of 11/8.

Sunderland’s mini revival under Paolo Di Canio was dealt a big blow at the end of April, as they were slammed 6-1 by relegation battlers Aston Villa. Not the kind of confidence boost either while the threat of relegation is just hanging over your shoulder. While the two rivals were sat on level points with three games to go, the Black Cats did have a bit of an advantage over the Magpies thanks to a far superior goal difference. So that may just about keep the Black Cats afloat in a tight race. Sunderland also have the advantage of two home matches in their last three, going up against Stoke and Southampton, so there are points available to them. Like Newcastle, they have a tough final game of the season, a trip to European hunters Spurs. So just like the Magpies, the two games before the final day of the season could make or break Sunderland’s season.

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