Newcastle v Villa relegation rumble: Which club could tumble?

Survival could start at St James’ Park, as Aston Villa (14/5 outsiders with Coral to win) seek to emulate Steve McClaren’s recent Tyneside magic, which has seen the Magpies snatch two triumphs on the trot and fly as many points clear of the relegation zone.

If Villa are to drag themselves away from danger, they cannot start the new calendar year still stuck on six points, which is currently half the haul of closest competitors for Championship status, Sunderland.

Yet, it is an age old question, where will the goals come from? If they cannot keep clean sheets, Villa must score more. Scott Sinclair seems the most likely threat at 11/4 in the anytime market to strike against the Toon, but frontmen Rudy Gestede and Gabriel Agbonlahor are worryingly off the boil.

Magpies made of sterner stuff?

Of the two toiling teams, Newcastle look most likely to survive, though a home loss here could halt momentum almost as quickly as it started.

Due to back-to-back victories against Liverpool and Tottenham, teams they were not expected to trouble, perceptions around St James’ Park have changed swiftly.

Now McClaren is even-money favourite to claim a third win on the trot and further enhance his side’s chances of staying up. With joint-most goals conceded this campaign, Newcastle, famous for favouring flamboyant football over results in seasons past, have channelled that spirit again in recent frays.

With much potential in their Northeast ranks, from recent goal heroes Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovic, to outstanding attacker Georginio Wijnaldum (a 7/4 anytime shout) and midfield mettle from Moussa Sissoko, there are players who can step up and inspire.

With playmaking prodigy Jack Grealish far from polished and yet to nail down a starting spot, Garde will be left to hope Spanish pair Carles Gil and Adama Traore’s talents can be harnessed in time to save their top-tier status.

On current evidence, though their two points worth of breathing space look slim, a few more dogged and defiant displays could see Villa left firmly in the dust. At 9/5 now to be relegated and 2/5 to stay up, the Magpies are the much better bet than their Midlands (odds-on at 1/8 for the drop) opponents to achieve safety, as well as take the spoils in this scuffle.

Related

Read more on Newcastle and Aston Villa in our football archives, or check out our Premier League page for more riveting reads.