Newcastle v Everton

The Magpies have enjoyed an electrifying start to the season for three main reasons; the defence has been the best in the division, the fixture list has been kind, and Demba Ba has been a goal machine. After a predatory hat-trick on Monday night against Stoke City, the Senegalese striker will be champing at the bit, and at 11/2 (SkyBet) he represents outstanding value in the first goalscorer market.

The 26-year-old may be in a purple patch, but that’s not to say this is any flash in the pan. With 15 Premier League goals (from 21 games) in 2011, Ba only lags behind Van Persie and Rooney in the annual figures. When you consider that seven of those strikes were in a West Ham shirt -the bottom team in 2010-11 - it ranks as an even more impressive statistic.

Ba certainly hasn’t taken too long to settle after heading to the other end of the country to join the Toon Army. He opened his account with a 27 minute hat-trick against Blackburn in September. He followed that by finding the net in both of the next two outings, against Wolves and Tottenham. The three goals at the Brittania Stadium were particularly sweet considering the Potters rejected the forward on medical grounds when he was all set to sign at the start of the year. Tony Pulis must have some serious regrets over that one.

Everton have been in poor form themselves with five defeats in six matches. The Toffees are without a clean sheet in nine league and cup outings, so Ba is likely to get chances. David Moyes has nobody in his ranks with more than two goals in all competitions. Frankly, there’s nobody else you would bet on in the first goalscorer market, and the former Hammer should be nothing longer than 3/1, all things considered.

As a point of comparison, Man City’s Sergio Aguero is 7/2 (PaddyPower) to open the scoring against QPR this weekend; how easy would it be for Mario Balotelli (9/2 Bet365) or Edin Dzeko (4/1 Coral) to beat him to the prize?  Let alone David Silva or maybe even a QPR player!

Back at Newcastle, Demba Ba is on form every bit as prolific, but there will be nobody close to his equal on paper at St James’s Park. Snap him up at 11/2 (Skybet) because it may just be the best bit of first goalscorer value you see all season.