Paul Merson has predicted tomorrow’s ‘massive’ trip to Huddersfield to end in a 1-1 draw – but it doesn’t sound like he’s looking forward to watching it one little bit..
It is a huge game for Rafa Benitez, fresh off being crowned the Premier League manager of the month for November and that heartbreaking defeat against Wolves last time out – however these are the sort of big games he helped us win this time last year.
Here’s what the Sky pundit has said during his latest prediction piece:
“Wow. What a game this is. Last week was a kick in the teeth for Newcastle, having a player sent off and then losing with the last kick of the game against Wolves, after going to Everton and riding your luck for a point.
“This is a massive game. It’ll be nervy, so I’m going for a low-scoring draw. It’s so tight at the bottom and you can’t rule anyone in or out at the moment.”
Prediction – Huddersfield 1-1 Newcastle.
It’s these games against the teams around us that will be key to staying up and it becomes even more important considering our game after that is the visit of Fulham to SJP. Six points would set us up nicely and move us onto 19 points, which would be on track to be there or thereabouts to the magical 40 point mark come May (although it’ll almost certainly take comfortably less than 40 points to stay up this season).
Considering we then start our run of more difficult fixtures after this double header, starting at Anfield on Boxing day, the game against Huddersfield is massive.
Merson may be right that it won’t be a classic, but if we win – I am sure Newcastle fans won’t care.
