PL 2012-13 Top 6 Finish Tip: Newcastle Utd

You can’t fluke a 38 match league season in the Premier League so Newcastle Utd acheived their fifth position in 2011-12 very much on merit. However, the bookies have concluded that it simply won’t happen again. Best odds of 7/2 (PaddyPower) on a top six finish for the Magpies represents terrific value.

First of all, Alan Pardew has kept the nucleus of the squad that did so well last time. He hasn’t lost one key player which is a credit to the manager and the board. Steven Taylor should be back at the heart of defence after months out injured while Tim Krul should continue to command between the sticks. In midfield, Yohan Cayabe and Cheick Tiote look top drawer while Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse will be looking for a further hatful of goals up front.

But perhaps most importantly for this bet, while Newcastle have maintained their strength, some of those who finished around them in the table have some serious issues to resolve. Arsenal must cope without Van Persie, Spurs are contemplating life without Redknapp and Modric, while Liverpool will need to find their feet quickly under Brendan Rodgers.

In all probability, Newcastle will only need to finish above one of those sides to claim another top six finish in 2012-13. At the price, this bet looks like a gift.