HiyaVata
09-14-2007, 03:03 PM
Some nice games and nice odds coming up tomorrow, here's what it looks like :
Wigan v Fulham
Wigan are without suspended Kevin Kilbane, who is banned for one match after his dismissal at Newcastle.
Recent signing Salomon Olembe is not yet fully match-fit and Antonio Valencia (knee) and Denny Landzaat (fractured eye socket) are also out.
Fulham defender Aaron Hughes is set to make his debut after an ankle injury.
Striker David Healy (calf) should start and new signings Danny Murphy, Seol Ki-Hyeon and Shefki Kuqi are expected to be on the bench.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
A match between two clubs with 100% Premier League records. Wigan have made a 100% winning start at home; Fulham, a 100% losing start away from home.
The Cottagers are on the longest current run in the Premier League without an away victory of 19 games, and have lost the last six.
The first goal the Londoners score will be their 1,000th in top-flight football.
Lawrie Sanchez saw his side from SW6 gain a point with a 90th minute goal last time out (3-3 at Spurs), having witnessed them lose the previous two games in the last two minutes.
Fulham have not won at Wigan since prevailing 1-3 at second league level on 1 September 1992.
Wigan boss Chris Hutchings has been at the club for several years, initially working under Paul Jewell, and his team have made a good start to the season. There seems to be a real durability about the Latics and I reckon Hutchings will see this sort of fixture as very much a bread and butter home win. I do not think this match would be my pick of the week to watch.
Prediction: 1-0 @ 2.10 / Under @ 1.80
West Ham v Middlesbrough
West Ham midfielder Scott Parker is set to play a part and make his debut after a lengthy spell out with a knee injury following a summer move from Newcastle.
Midfielder Freddie Ljungberg (thigh) and striker Bobby Zamora (knee) will also be available.
Middlesbrough keeper Mark Schwarzer is expected to pass a late fitness test on a knee injury suffered on international duty with Australia.
Recent new sign Gary O'Neil is set to play a part and could start.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
West Ham and Middlesbrough lie adjacent to each other in mid table, and have each picked up seven points out of the last nine (win, draw, win).
The Londoners have been shown fewer yellow cards in Premier League competition than any other club (four); the Teessiders have been shown more than any other (16).
The Hammers have lost only one of nine home Premiership meetings with Middlesbrough, and have won the last five.
There have been changes in personnel at Middlesbrough over the summer but I still think they are in for a tough season.
Home form will be crucial for them because their away record is not great.
I do not think West Ham will struggle this season, although I was talking to Alan Curbishley the other day and he pointed out that he is already without several key players.
The likes of Kieron Dyer, Julien Faubert and Freddie Ljungberg may all be first-team regulars if fit, though Scott Parker should return this weekend.
Prediction: 2-0 @ 2.00 / HT/FT W.HAM-W.HAM @ 3.25
Tottenham v Arsenal
BIG-MATCH FACTS
This is the 141st north London league derby between Tottenham and Arsenal, and their 31st clash in the Premier League.
Tottenham are looking for a 50th victory in the 156th competitive meeting with their near neighbours.
Arsenal have won three of their four Premier League matches this season; Tottenham have lost three of their five.
The Gunners have drawn their last four away league games; including the 2-2 stalemate at White Hart Lane on 21 April, the only occasion Arsenal have scored more than a single goal in eight Premier League outings on the road.
Spurs have not beaten Arsenal this century, nor in 18 League and Cup matches with their fierce rivals, since George Graham's side achieved a 2-1 home Premier League victory on 7 November 1999, when Steffen Iversen and Tim Sherwood were on target, and Arsenal's Martin Keown and Freddie Ljungberg were both sent off. That was Tottenham's only maximum in 23 north London League derbies.
David Pleat, Glenn Hoddle and Jacques Santini never got the better of Arsene Wenger as Tottenham managers. Now Martin Jol will make his ninth attempt to do so (in league and cup).
I do not think that all that many Tottenham fans are getting on coach Martin Jol's back but the club have certainly put themselves in a tricky position following the business with Sevilla coach Juande Ramos.
Another couple of bad results and we know what could well happen - and that would be a complete travesty for Jol.
I hope for Jol's sake that Tottenham do not lose this high-pressure game against their local rivals.
Arsenal have made a good start to the season but I'm still not convinced about them away from home.
Prediction: 1-1 @ 3.20 / First half : Draw @ 2.10
Sunderland v Reading
BIG-MATCH FACTS
This is a bottom-four clash between two clubs with identical Premier League records of won one, drawn one and lost three. Sunderland are superior, having scored one more goal.
Sunderland have lost the last four league and Cup matches and have failed to score in the quartet.
Both clubs have found league goals hard to come by of late: Sunderland 270 minutes, Reading 226 minutes.
The Royals are yet to net a league goal on the road.
The Wearsiders are yet to score in the first half of a Premier League game; Reading have yet to find the net in the second half.
This is the first ever meeting of these clubs in top-flight football; all previous league meetings have been in the second tier.
Sunderland's home games are of huge importance to them this season.
Roy Keane probably knows that his team are in for a long and difficult campaign and I imagine he would settle for finishing top of the 'mini-league' of numerous team's battling against relegation at the bottom end of the table.
I think that they will have a much-needed victory on Saturday over a Reading team that are starting to slip down the league.
Prediction: 2-0 @ 2.25 / Under @ 1.66
Portsmouth v Liverpool
Portsmouth centre-back Sol Campbell, who had groin and hamstring problems, and striker Benjani Mwaruwari (neck) are back.
Recent midfield signing Papa Bouba Diop is also in line to make his debut.
Liverpool expect to have centre-back Jamie Carragher available after a broken rib, while defender Steve Finnan is battling to overcome a knee injury.
Steven Gerrard's broken toe will be assessed after his two outings for England but he should be available.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Liverpool go into a weekend round of Premier League matches at the top of the table for the first time in five years. It's also a new experience for manager Rafael Benitez.
This is Portsmouth's sixth fixture of the season and their fourth against one of the so called "Big Four".
While Liverpool are looking to complete three Premier League victories in a row for the first time in 17 outings, Portsmouth are aiming to avoid three league defeats on the trot for the first time in 53, since March last year.
The Merseysiders are the only club to have scored first in all their Premier League games this season; Pompey are the only club to have conceded the opening goal in all of their games in this league this term.
Pompey beat a weakened Liverpool side 2-1 in April. It was only their second maximum in eight Premier League fixtures with the Reds.
Liverpool have had an excellent start to the season and with the regular inclusion of Ryan Babel and Fernando Torres in the team they seem to have a lot more attacking edge and pace in their attack.
Portsmouth, I should imagine, will be pleased when this game is out of the way. It is only their sixth Premier League game of the season and they will have now met all of the 'big-four' teams.
Having said that, Fratton Park is a very difficult ground to visit and I think Pompey might take something from the game.
Prediction: 1-1 @ 3.50 / Over 11 corners @ 1.80
Everton v Man Utd
Striker Wayne Rooney has recovered from a fractured foot and is back in the Manchester United squad for the trip to former club Everton.
Cristiano Ronaldo returns from suspension but Darren Fletcher and John O'Shea are out after picking up injuries on international duty.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
The winner of this north-west derby will go top of the table for 45 minutes at least.
Everton need just a point to go top. If they finish level, it will be the Toffees' 1,000th draw in top-flight football.
Everton are unbeaten at home in the Premier League; Manchester United yet to win away from home.
This match pits two Premier League ever-presents.
It features the winning most club in this league (Manchester United with 369 victories) and losing most (Everton, beaten 232 times in the Premier League).
United staged a remarkable recovery from 2-0 down after 50 minutes, to win this corresponding fixture 2-4 last April, which took them one step nearer to the title.
Everton have had a very good start to the season, while Manchester United came back from 2-1 down to register a crucial 4-2 win at Goodison Park last April on their way to winning the Premier League title.
I think that this will be a tight game that will go the way of United because they have more match winners in their team, especially with the expected return of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Prediction: 1-2 @ 1.80 / Manchester United to score a penalty @ 5.50
Chelsea v Blackburn
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba remains a doubt with the knee injury he picked up in the loss to Aston Villa.
Midfielder Frank Lampard is a doubtful with a thigh strain, while Michael Ballack and Wayne Bridge are still out with ankle problems.
Blackburn are waiting to confirm the fitness of Roque Santa Cruz, Benni McCarthy and Aaron Mokoena after they were away on international duty.
But the trio are expected to be fit to give Rovers a full-strength squad.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Chelsea lost 2-0 at Aston Villa last time out, but have not suffered back-to-back defeats in 43 Premier League outings since the end of the season before last on 2 and 7 May 2006, away to Blackburn and home to Newcastle respectively.
The Londoners are chasing their 1,500th League win, to extend their record-breaking unbeaten home run to 66 league games.
Blackburn are defending a 10-match undefeated Premier League run, on the eve of Mark Hughes' third anniversary as Rovers manager. They have not lost in 14 league and cup games since last season's FA Cup semi-final, when they fell foul of Chelsea.
Chelsea were going for quadruple honours when they met and beat Blackburn for the fourth time last season, winning the FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford 2-1 on 15 April, after extra time. That was their 100th competitive meeting.
Blackburn are a very decent side and they will certainly compete against any team they take on.
Playing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is not easy and to an extent this means that the pressure is off them.
However, although Chelsea had a hiccup at Aston Villa in their last game I still think that they are the team to beat.
Prediction: 2-0 @ 1.36 / Goal/NoGoal : NoGoal (1 team not to score) @ 1.72
Birmingham v Bolton
Bolton midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson is expected to be fit after he injured a thigh on international duty for Sweden against Denmark last Saturday.
Ricardo Gardner (hamstring) and Joey O'Brien (knee) are still not quite fit.
Birmingham skipper Damien Johnson is the only injury absentee for his side as he is still sidelined with a hamstring problem.
Blues boss Steve Bruce does face a decision over whether to switch Johan Djourou from midfield to defence.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
This is a bottom-five clash between two clubs looking for their second Premier League victories of the season.
Birmingham are still without a home league win; Bolton are chasing a first victory on the road and have lost their last three Premier League games away from home, trailing back to last season.
The Trotters have made their worst ever start to a Premier League season, but are on the longest current run by any club in this league since failing to score (20 matches).
Birmingham are yet to keep a clean sheet.
Both of these teams look nervous, lack a little bit of confidence and are perhaps fearing a long, tough season.
Birmingham boss Steve Bruce said that his team did not turn up for their previous fixture at Middlesbrough, which Blues lost 2-0, and will want a much improved showing.
Bolton need striker Kevin Davies fit again as soon as possible - I think that to a degree their season depends on the success of his partnership with Nicolas Anelka.
Prediction: 1-1 @ 3.25
Moving on to Sunday's game also :
Man City v Aston Villa
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Manchester City are eager to avoid a third straight league defeat; Aston Villa striving for a third successive win.
The Midlanders, victors over Chelsea last time out, have completed 104 Premier League matches since registering three wins in a row.
City have a 100% home Premier League record, and are yet to concede at Eastlands; Villa have neither scored nor conceded on the road.
Aston Villa are vying for a 50th league victory over Manchester City, in their 150th competitive meeting.
Manchester City have lost their last two fixtures and I think they will end up defeated in this one as well.
The newness of Sven-Goran Eriksson's arrival has worn off and with so many players away on international duty he will not have had much opportunity to work on shape and systems.
Aston Villa will be buoyed by their win over Chelsea last time out.
Sometimes it takes a decent victory like that early in a season to remind people at a club that they really do have a decent team.
Prediction: 1-2 @ 3.00 / Over @ 1.80
And for MOnday.... My favourate match where i'll be backing Newcastle all the way.
Derby v Newcastle
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Derby, yet to win, and Newcastle, yet to lose, meet for the first time in six seasons.
The rock bottom Rams are battling to avoid a fifth successive Premier League defeat.
Billy Davies' side have conceded 12 goals in three games, culminating in that 6-0 drubbing at Liverpool a fortnight ago.
Newcastle beat Wigan last time out, but have not registered back-to-back victories in 23 league matches.
Newcastle are undefeated so far with two draws and two wins in the Premier League this season.
Michael Owen also seems to be very much back in form following his goal-scoring exploits for England.
I reckon that Owen will fancy himself to score against a defence for whom the word porous is a definite understatement.
Rams boss Billy Davies must work out how his team are going to win their share of home games.
There have also been lots of stories about his future as manager.
I don't know where they have come from but surely the board at the club should let him get on with the job.
He has a very difficult task at Derby, not helped by the fact that the team winning promotion through the play-offs has less time than the others clubs to recruit over the summer.
Prediction: 1-2 @ 1.90 / Owen to score any time @ 2.50
Wigan v Fulham
Wigan are without suspended Kevin Kilbane, who is banned for one match after his dismissal at Newcastle.
Recent signing Salomon Olembe is not yet fully match-fit and Antonio Valencia (knee) and Denny Landzaat (fractured eye socket) are also out.
Fulham defender Aaron Hughes is set to make his debut after an ankle injury.
Striker David Healy (calf) should start and new signings Danny Murphy, Seol Ki-Hyeon and Shefki Kuqi are expected to be on the bench.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
A match between two clubs with 100% Premier League records. Wigan have made a 100% winning start at home; Fulham, a 100% losing start away from home.
The Cottagers are on the longest current run in the Premier League without an away victory of 19 games, and have lost the last six.
The first goal the Londoners score will be their 1,000th in top-flight football.
Lawrie Sanchez saw his side from SW6 gain a point with a 90th minute goal last time out (3-3 at Spurs), having witnessed them lose the previous two games in the last two minutes.
Fulham have not won at Wigan since prevailing 1-3 at second league level on 1 September 1992.
Wigan boss Chris Hutchings has been at the club for several years, initially working under Paul Jewell, and his team have made a good start to the season. There seems to be a real durability about the Latics and I reckon Hutchings will see this sort of fixture as very much a bread and butter home win. I do not think this match would be my pick of the week to watch.
Prediction: 1-0 @ 2.10 / Under @ 1.80
West Ham v Middlesbrough
West Ham midfielder Scott Parker is set to play a part and make his debut after a lengthy spell out with a knee injury following a summer move from Newcastle.
Midfielder Freddie Ljungberg (thigh) and striker Bobby Zamora (knee) will also be available.
Middlesbrough keeper Mark Schwarzer is expected to pass a late fitness test on a knee injury suffered on international duty with Australia.
Recent new sign Gary O'Neil is set to play a part and could start.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
West Ham and Middlesbrough lie adjacent to each other in mid table, and have each picked up seven points out of the last nine (win, draw, win).
The Londoners have been shown fewer yellow cards in Premier League competition than any other club (four); the Teessiders have been shown more than any other (16).
The Hammers have lost only one of nine home Premiership meetings with Middlesbrough, and have won the last five.
There have been changes in personnel at Middlesbrough over the summer but I still think they are in for a tough season.
Home form will be crucial for them because their away record is not great.
I do not think West Ham will struggle this season, although I was talking to Alan Curbishley the other day and he pointed out that he is already without several key players.
The likes of Kieron Dyer, Julien Faubert and Freddie Ljungberg may all be first-team regulars if fit, though Scott Parker should return this weekend.
Prediction: 2-0 @ 2.00 / HT/FT W.HAM-W.HAM @ 3.25
Tottenham v Arsenal
BIG-MATCH FACTS
This is the 141st north London league derby between Tottenham and Arsenal, and their 31st clash in the Premier League.
Tottenham are looking for a 50th victory in the 156th competitive meeting with their near neighbours.
Arsenal have won three of their four Premier League matches this season; Tottenham have lost three of their five.
The Gunners have drawn their last four away league games; including the 2-2 stalemate at White Hart Lane on 21 April, the only occasion Arsenal have scored more than a single goal in eight Premier League outings on the road.
Spurs have not beaten Arsenal this century, nor in 18 League and Cup matches with their fierce rivals, since George Graham's side achieved a 2-1 home Premier League victory on 7 November 1999, when Steffen Iversen and Tim Sherwood were on target, and Arsenal's Martin Keown and Freddie Ljungberg were both sent off. That was Tottenham's only maximum in 23 north London League derbies.
David Pleat, Glenn Hoddle and Jacques Santini never got the better of Arsene Wenger as Tottenham managers. Now Martin Jol will make his ninth attempt to do so (in league and cup).
I do not think that all that many Tottenham fans are getting on coach Martin Jol's back but the club have certainly put themselves in a tricky position following the business with Sevilla coach Juande Ramos.
Another couple of bad results and we know what could well happen - and that would be a complete travesty for Jol.
I hope for Jol's sake that Tottenham do not lose this high-pressure game against their local rivals.
Arsenal have made a good start to the season but I'm still not convinced about them away from home.
Prediction: 1-1 @ 3.20 / First half : Draw @ 2.10
Sunderland v Reading
BIG-MATCH FACTS
This is a bottom-four clash between two clubs with identical Premier League records of won one, drawn one and lost three. Sunderland are superior, having scored one more goal.
Sunderland have lost the last four league and Cup matches and have failed to score in the quartet.
Both clubs have found league goals hard to come by of late: Sunderland 270 minutes, Reading 226 minutes.
The Royals are yet to net a league goal on the road.
The Wearsiders are yet to score in the first half of a Premier League game; Reading have yet to find the net in the second half.
This is the first ever meeting of these clubs in top-flight football; all previous league meetings have been in the second tier.
Sunderland's home games are of huge importance to them this season.
Roy Keane probably knows that his team are in for a long and difficult campaign and I imagine he would settle for finishing top of the 'mini-league' of numerous team's battling against relegation at the bottom end of the table.
I think that they will have a much-needed victory on Saturday over a Reading team that are starting to slip down the league.
Prediction: 2-0 @ 2.25 / Under @ 1.66
Portsmouth v Liverpool
Portsmouth centre-back Sol Campbell, who had groin and hamstring problems, and striker Benjani Mwaruwari (neck) are back.
Recent midfield signing Papa Bouba Diop is also in line to make his debut.
Liverpool expect to have centre-back Jamie Carragher available after a broken rib, while defender Steve Finnan is battling to overcome a knee injury.
Steven Gerrard's broken toe will be assessed after his two outings for England but he should be available.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Liverpool go into a weekend round of Premier League matches at the top of the table for the first time in five years. It's also a new experience for manager Rafael Benitez.
This is Portsmouth's sixth fixture of the season and their fourth against one of the so called "Big Four".
While Liverpool are looking to complete three Premier League victories in a row for the first time in 17 outings, Portsmouth are aiming to avoid three league defeats on the trot for the first time in 53, since March last year.
The Merseysiders are the only club to have scored first in all their Premier League games this season; Pompey are the only club to have conceded the opening goal in all of their games in this league this term.
Pompey beat a weakened Liverpool side 2-1 in April. It was only their second maximum in eight Premier League fixtures with the Reds.
Liverpool have had an excellent start to the season and with the regular inclusion of Ryan Babel and Fernando Torres in the team they seem to have a lot more attacking edge and pace in their attack.
Portsmouth, I should imagine, will be pleased when this game is out of the way. It is only their sixth Premier League game of the season and they will have now met all of the 'big-four' teams.
Having said that, Fratton Park is a very difficult ground to visit and I think Pompey might take something from the game.
Prediction: 1-1 @ 3.50 / Over 11 corners @ 1.80
Everton v Man Utd
Striker Wayne Rooney has recovered from a fractured foot and is back in the Manchester United squad for the trip to former club Everton.
Cristiano Ronaldo returns from suspension but Darren Fletcher and John O'Shea are out after picking up injuries on international duty.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
The winner of this north-west derby will go top of the table for 45 minutes at least.
Everton need just a point to go top. If they finish level, it will be the Toffees' 1,000th draw in top-flight football.
Everton are unbeaten at home in the Premier League; Manchester United yet to win away from home.
This match pits two Premier League ever-presents.
It features the winning most club in this league (Manchester United with 369 victories) and losing most (Everton, beaten 232 times in the Premier League).
United staged a remarkable recovery from 2-0 down after 50 minutes, to win this corresponding fixture 2-4 last April, which took them one step nearer to the title.
Everton have had a very good start to the season, while Manchester United came back from 2-1 down to register a crucial 4-2 win at Goodison Park last April on their way to winning the Premier League title.
I think that this will be a tight game that will go the way of United because they have more match winners in their team, especially with the expected return of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Prediction: 1-2 @ 1.80 / Manchester United to score a penalty @ 5.50
Chelsea v Blackburn
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba remains a doubt with the knee injury he picked up in the loss to Aston Villa.
Midfielder Frank Lampard is a doubtful with a thigh strain, while Michael Ballack and Wayne Bridge are still out with ankle problems.
Blackburn are waiting to confirm the fitness of Roque Santa Cruz, Benni McCarthy and Aaron Mokoena after they were away on international duty.
But the trio are expected to be fit to give Rovers a full-strength squad.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Chelsea lost 2-0 at Aston Villa last time out, but have not suffered back-to-back defeats in 43 Premier League outings since the end of the season before last on 2 and 7 May 2006, away to Blackburn and home to Newcastle respectively.
The Londoners are chasing their 1,500th League win, to extend their record-breaking unbeaten home run to 66 league games.
Blackburn are defending a 10-match undefeated Premier League run, on the eve of Mark Hughes' third anniversary as Rovers manager. They have not lost in 14 league and cup games since last season's FA Cup semi-final, when they fell foul of Chelsea.
Chelsea were going for quadruple honours when they met and beat Blackburn for the fourth time last season, winning the FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford 2-1 on 15 April, after extra time. That was their 100th competitive meeting.
Blackburn are a very decent side and they will certainly compete against any team they take on.
Playing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is not easy and to an extent this means that the pressure is off them.
However, although Chelsea had a hiccup at Aston Villa in their last game I still think that they are the team to beat.
Prediction: 2-0 @ 1.36 / Goal/NoGoal : NoGoal (1 team not to score) @ 1.72
Birmingham v Bolton
Bolton midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson is expected to be fit after he injured a thigh on international duty for Sweden against Denmark last Saturday.
Ricardo Gardner (hamstring) and Joey O'Brien (knee) are still not quite fit.
Birmingham skipper Damien Johnson is the only injury absentee for his side as he is still sidelined with a hamstring problem.
Blues boss Steve Bruce does face a decision over whether to switch Johan Djourou from midfield to defence.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
This is a bottom-five clash between two clubs looking for their second Premier League victories of the season.
Birmingham are still without a home league win; Bolton are chasing a first victory on the road and have lost their last three Premier League games away from home, trailing back to last season.
The Trotters have made their worst ever start to a Premier League season, but are on the longest current run by any club in this league since failing to score (20 matches).
Birmingham are yet to keep a clean sheet.
Both of these teams look nervous, lack a little bit of confidence and are perhaps fearing a long, tough season.
Birmingham boss Steve Bruce said that his team did not turn up for their previous fixture at Middlesbrough, which Blues lost 2-0, and will want a much improved showing.
Bolton need striker Kevin Davies fit again as soon as possible - I think that to a degree their season depends on the success of his partnership with Nicolas Anelka.
Prediction: 1-1 @ 3.25
Moving on to Sunday's game also :
Man City v Aston Villa
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Manchester City are eager to avoid a third straight league defeat; Aston Villa striving for a third successive win.
The Midlanders, victors over Chelsea last time out, have completed 104 Premier League matches since registering three wins in a row.
City have a 100% home Premier League record, and are yet to concede at Eastlands; Villa have neither scored nor conceded on the road.
Aston Villa are vying for a 50th league victory over Manchester City, in their 150th competitive meeting.
Manchester City have lost their last two fixtures and I think they will end up defeated in this one as well.
The newness of Sven-Goran Eriksson's arrival has worn off and with so many players away on international duty he will not have had much opportunity to work on shape and systems.
Aston Villa will be buoyed by their win over Chelsea last time out.
Sometimes it takes a decent victory like that early in a season to remind people at a club that they really do have a decent team.
Prediction: 1-2 @ 3.00 / Over @ 1.80
And for MOnday.... My favourate match where i'll be backing Newcastle all the way.
Derby v Newcastle
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Derby, yet to win, and Newcastle, yet to lose, meet for the first time in six seasons.
The rock bottom Rams are battling to avoid a fifth successive Premier League defeat.
Billy Davies' side have conceded 12 goals in three games, culminating in that 6-0 drubbing at Liverpool a fortnight ago.
Newcastle beat Wigan last time out, but have not registered back-to-back victories in 23 league matches.
Newcastle are undefeated so far with two draws and two wins in the Premier League this season.
Michael Owen also seems to be very much back in form following his goal-scoring exploits for England.
I reckon that Owen will fancy himself to score against a defence for whom the word porous is a definite understatement.
Rams boss Billy Davies must work out how his team are going to win their share of home games.
There have also been lots of stories about his future as manager.
I don't know where they have come from but surely the board at the club should let him get on with the job.
He has a very difficult task at Derby, not helped by the fact that the team winning promotion through the play-offs has less time than the others clubs to recruit over the summer.
Prediction: 1-2 @ 1.90 / Owen to score any time @ 2.50