Archive for category: European Football.

Is Europe to blame for Newcastle United’s long injury list?

November 27th, 2023 | No Comments |

Sean Longstaff injured
Another one bites the dust!
Newcastle United squad have certainly had their problems with injuries recently, and suspensions too, the most notable being Sandro Tonali’s huge 10 month ban for innapropriate gambling activities. But how does it compare with other Premier League sides? and more specifically, is it because of European competition?

On the first question, even with the return of Alexander Isak and Miguel Almiron, as of 26th July, the Magpies still have the joint worst injury list along with Manchester United, with both teams missing 13 players from their squads due to injuries and suspensions according to (more…)


Betting sites predict Champions League adventure will a be one-off for Newcastle

August 17th, 2023 | No Comments |

Champions League Banner
Can the Toon become a permanent fixture in the Champions League?
We’ve all got our opinions on exactly how the Premier League will pan out but, on the eve of the new season, betting sites have put their cards on the table and in a prediction that many Magpies might disagree with, have Newcastle missing out on successive Champions League campaigns.

The betting experts at bet-bonuscode.co.uk have analysed the points predictions from different spread betting sites and, while Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United are again expected to fill three of the Champions League places, the other spot is most likely to be filled by Liverpool. (more…)


How a Champions League spot can secure Howe silverware this season

May 21st, 2023 | No Comments |

Newcastle United 3, Barcelona 2.
A return to the top table?
Newcastle United may have narrowly missed out on silverware in the Carabao Cup, but Eddie Howe can still exceed pre-season predictions enough to receive the LMA Manager of the Year award if they secure Champions League football.

That’s the opinion of bookmakers.tv, who have crunched the numbers to compare each Premier League team’s actual performance with how betting sites expected them to perform at the start of the season. All 20 sides were given a points handicap, with Manchester City and Liverpool predictably starting on just zero and four points respectively, while Bournemouth and Fulham were both handed a head start in excess of 50 points. (more…)


Does the Champions League await for Newcastle United?

March 9th, 2023 | No Comments |

Champions League Trophy
The ultimate prize.
I think it’s fair to say that this year’s Premier League campaign has been one to remember so far, and that’s for all the right reasons. With the well-publicised wealth from the club’s owners, the Magpies have gone from strength to strength both on and off the field, which will of course, raise the expectations of the St James’ Park faithful.

Eddie Howe’s appointment back in 2021 has been nothing short of brilliant, and the former AFC Bournemouth boss is well on his way to taking the Magpies to the next level in what will be a hugely exciting project. Many Newcastle supporters could have been forgiven for thinking that it would take a couple of seasons to transition and solidify themselves as a club in the top-half of the Premier League, and so they will have been pleasantly surprised with the progress that the club has made in a relatively short space of time. (more…)


Would a Saudi led Newcastle United be allowed to compete in Europe?

June 14th, 2020 | 8 Comments |

UEFA
Would UEFA close the door on Newcastle?
When a football club takeover involves a cast of characters including the World Trade Organization, the United States Trade Representative, Amnesty International, Saudi Arabian Pirates, Neil Kinnock, a Middle East proxy war, the fiance of a brutally murdered journalist, a former World Chess Champion, FIFA, UEFA, AFC, The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and many others it could only be for one club, Newcastle United.

At this time, the Saudi led consortium’s bid to take over the Magpies hangs on the (much delayed) decision by the Premier League as to whether the prospective buyers are ‘fit and proper’ people to take over a Premier League club. Many column inches and web pages (mostly drivel) have been wasted on it. However, there is another aspect of the deal which doesn’t seem to have been thought of at all. What I mean is that overcoming the Premier League hurdle will not necessarily be the end of the story if the new regime have ambitions for the Magpies to compete in UEFA competitions such as the Europa League and the Champions League. (more…)