The English Premier League continues this weekend, so take a look at our tips and predictions for the Burnley vs. Newcastle United match. With plenty of picks and markets to choose from, don’t waste your time and join the action at Get More Sports.
Burnley vs. Newcastle United
Three-Way: 1: Burnley +206; X: +229 Draw; 2: Newcastle +177 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Burnley +110; Newcastle -112
Total +2: Over -128; Under +125
BURNLEY
The Clarets are without a league victory in the last two matches, but they are still in the top half of the table, sitting in the 8th position with 13 points, only a point behind their Monday rivals Newcastle United. Burnley suffered a 0:3 defeat against Man City at Etihad, but nobody really expected them to take something out of that clash, considering the Citizens’ form this season. Sean Dyche’s team is one of the least efficient at the moment as only six clubs scored fewer goals in the Premier League, but that doesn’t concern him much as long as they are safe and away from the relegation zone.
One win in the previous five games is surely concerning, but other results went in Burnley’s favor, so they have to be satisfied with the situation after nine rounds. The Clarets are not playing attractive, eye-catching football, but their gaffer knows how to get a result, and in the end, that’s what matters. That’s Dyche’s style, and he nurtured it in the previous season as well, and it turned out to be enough for Burnley to secure the elite status.
Burnley have played 11 games so far in 2017/18, recording four victories, four draws, and three losses, with a goal difference of 12:12, which is almost 2.2 goals per contest on average. The Clarets have not been particularly good at home as they secured only one win in five matches, and that’s something that changed comparing it to the 2016/17 campaign when Burnley won most of the points at Turf Moor. This time around, they are playing better away from home, and this defeat to Man City was actually the first on the visits, while they are looking to snap the three-game winless streak in front of their own fans.
The two rivals have previously met in the 2014/15 season, and both matches ended as draws; it was 1-1 in Burnley, and then 3-3 at St. James’ Park, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see another stalemate on Monday night.
The team’s top scorer Chris Wood sustained a hamstring injury at Etihad and was substituted after just 20 minutes, but the recent reports are suggesting that he is 50% ready for this tilt, so it appears not to be a serious setback for the New Zealand international. The former Leeds United striker scored four goals in nine appearances thus far, and he became an integral part of Sean Dyche’s squad, a target man who is always a constants threat to the opposing defenses. He is clearly the best player at Turf Moor at the moment, but Robbie Brady and Sam Vokes with a pair of goals apiece are also significant contributors. The Irishman Brady and the midfielder Jack Cork recorded a couple of assists to their respective names, and Brady should be closed down properly as he can create havoc in the opposing box, whether from crosses or outside shots. Dyche will be without starting goalkeeper Tom Heaton who is still recovering from a shoulder injury, so Nick Pope will continue to perform between the sticks. The veteran Dean Marney is sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury, Jonathan Walters is out with a knee setback, while Nahki Wells cannot help his teammates due to a malleolar injury.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
The Magpies are in a solid run of three matches without a loss, and they secured a 1-0 victory over struggling Crystal Palace at St. James’ Park last weekend. Three points there sent them to the 7th position, which is a highly respectable place for the promoted team, and Rafa Benitez is certainly proud of his players for achieving this after nine rounds. Mikel Merino, who recently signed a permanent deal with Newcastle as he came from Dortmund, scored the winner in the 86th minute after coming as a substitute in the second half.
Following the slow start of the season, Newcastle is now playing much better, with confidence and, it seems that Rafa Benitez taught them how to defend, as that was the Magpies issue early in the campaign. The Spanish tactician is still relying on his compatriots Ayoze Perez and Joselu in the attack, while Dwight Gayle and Aleksandar Mitrovic are not getting enough minutes, especially the latter one, but Benitez is rather stubborn with his decisions and strategy. Even though Perez and Joselu combined for only three goals thus far, the former Liverpool manager prefers them ahead of Mitrovic and Gayle, but as long as he’s getting positive results, the fans will not question his philosophy.
Newcastle United played ten games in this campaign so far, recording four victories, two draws, and four losses, with a goal difference of 12:11, which is 2.3 goals per contest on average. The Magpies won one out of the last four away matches, and they scored three in that span, conceding four in return. Although they are evidently better at St. James’ Park, Newcastle are quite unpredictable and can beat stronger rivals than Burnley, especially considering that the Clarets are not convincing at Turf Moor, so I see the visitors as potential winners here. However, it could go either way, but Benitez will be patient in the attack and cautious in the back and will wait for his opponents to open up a bit in order to hit them on the counter.
Three players are sharing the top spot on the team’s goal-scoring chart with two goals apiece, while other six contributed with a goal thus far. Those three are the captain Jamaal Lascelles, Joselu, and Aleksandar Mitrovic, but while the first two managed to do that in nine appearances, the Serbian striker managed to accomplish it in only three matches. Somehow, he cannot find a place in the starting eleven, as Benitez sticks with Perez and Joselu, and will likely start this tilt off the bench, as it was the case against Crystal Palace. The Scottish international Matt Ritchie is the most creative individual with four assists to his name at the moment, and his influence is obvious in every game, so I would highlight him as the player to watch for the visitors at Turf Moor. Benitez cannot count on the left-back Paul Dummett who is sidelined with a hamstring injury and will be out for another month, while fellow left-back Massadio Haidara is getting near to returning to the pitch as he is recovering from a knee injury. However, I don’t believe he will feature on Monday but could be back in early November.
Burnley vs. Newcastle United – Match Prediction
Predicting this encounter is far from a piece of cake, and I suppose either team can come out victorious, but I expect a big fight and excellent tactical battle between Dyche and Benitez. Still, I would opt for anytime draw, as I cannot back neither of the rivals.
MY PICK: Draw (+229)
