Can Newcastle stop Luis Suarez and Co?

Newcastle and Liverpool were involved in some wonderful battles in the nineties, notably the 4-3 Reds win in 1996, later voted the Premier League’s ‘Match of the Decade.’

Now, though, it’s not such a classic match-up, not on paper anyway; in this corresponding fixture last year, Liverpool won 6-0 to inflict upon Newcastle their worst home defeat for 87 years and the gap between the two sides remains there for all to see – today Liverpool lie second and are 8/1 for the Premiership title, Newcastle tread water in mid-table and are 8/1 to be relegated.

And while Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers puts down roots to one day become another Anfield legend, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew must be wondering what’s going to happen next at St James’ Park, despite his lengthy contract. He’s 8/1 with Coral to be the next manager to leave his post – only Malky Mackay, Martin Jol and Chris Hughton are at shorter odds.

Coral are also going 6/1 that Liverpool will be top of the Premiership pile on Christmas Day and a win on Saturday will certainly give them a good push in the right direction. A record of five wins, one draw and one defeat this season has given Koppites tremendous confidence in the new regime and they will be expecting another three points in the north east.

Luis Suarez (4/1 to score first or last, evens at any time) and Daniel Sturridge (9/2 and 6/5) have quickly struck up a potent partnership up front and it promises to get even better when the two strikers really get to know each other – this is a double-act still in its infancy.

Coral make Suarez 9/2 second favourite (behind 4/1 Robin Van Persie) to win this season’s Golden Boot as the season’s leading goalscorer, while Sturridge is third best at 8/1, odds that really underline Liverpool’s goal threat.

The jury is still out on Newcastle. Three wins and three defeats put them in a position where it could go either way; at best sniffing at a European place and at worst becoming involved in another relegation battle.

On the whole it has been pretty frustrating for Pardew and the Magpie fans so far this campaign, but a real bright spot has been the on-loan signing of Loic Remy from QPR.The French striker has scored five time in five Premier League games for Newcastle and Coral go 2/1 he’s on the scoresheet again tomorrow (7/1 first or last) and 16/1 that he beats Suarez and Sturridge to the Golden Boot.

Liverpool are worthy favourites on general form, but Newcastle have looked a really decent outfit on occasions and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if they turned over the visitors. A home win is 100/30 with Coral and it’s a tempting 6/1 a home win with both teams scoring.