Betting: Newcastle United backed to make it seven in a row at Deepdale

'Same again?' might be a refrain frequently heard in the pub, but it's increasingly heard around St James's Park too.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez.Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez.

Although, backers expecting Newcastle to repeat their 6-0 midweek thumping of Preston in the EFL Cup when the pair lock horns at Deepdale tomorrow are likely to be disappointed. Probably.

Newcastle travel to Lancashire as Coral’s firm 4/6 favourites to register a seventh successive victory in all competitions.

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They’ll also hold a massive psychological advantage over a team they tore apart on Tuesday, albeit that their opponents were down to ten men.

Preston kick off as Betfred’s 4/1 underdogs, but the overwhelming weight of punters’ cash has been directed towards backing an away win in various guises.

For example, Newcastle can be backed at 2/1 (Skybet) to win when starting with a one-goal deficit, while Marathonbet offer 9/5 against them leading at 45 and at 90 minutes.

The correct score markets have been pored over by backers anticipating another comprehensive victory, but the most popular result is a 1-0 away victory, priced at 11/2 by 188bet.

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As insurance, however, punters may consider the draw (11/4, Bwin) to offer decent value.

Sunderland were desperately unlucky to concede an injury-time goal at West Ham last week and their position in the league table could only be described as ‘perilous’.

Even with the benefit of home advantage, they’re still 8/1 (Ladbrokes) to win, whereas Arsenal, yet to lose away from home, kick off as William Hill’s 2/5 odds-on favourites; Skybet post 9/2 about the draw.

Yet the draw has attracted plenty of punters’ cash, ostensibly because seven of the pair’s last dozen league duels have ended all-square; indeed, there have been three goalless outcomes in their last eight encounters.

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The likelihood of it finishing as a score draw is rated a 5/1 shot by Matchbook.com. While 10bet rate the chances of it ending goalless at a staggering 19/1.

As statistics show that most league contests display a bias towards the goalscoring action being concentrated in the second half, the 20/1 offered by bet365 against the Black Cats emerging victorious following a drawn first period is worthy of note; alternatively, BetVictor.com post an enormous 25/1 against Sunderland recording a 1-0 win.