Newcastle Could Increase Gloom at Blackpool

Newcastle United hit that magical 40-point marker with their midweek draw with Manchester United and now could be on the lookout for revenge against Blackpool on Saturday.

Ian Holloway's side turned up at St James' Park earlier in the season and walked away with a 2-0 win, which at that time put them up to fourth in the Premier League, but now they are a different animal and one which is wounded and in the relegation places.

Newcastle have only won two of their last 13 matches, but many of them have ended draws, and they look to have secured their top flight status for another season. They are 6/4 with bookmakers to get all three points on Saturday and make them secure in mid-table.

However, they have not won at Bloomfield Road since 1971 and boast a poor record of scoring only 12 goals on their travels all season, which is the lowest in the league along with West Brom.

That scoring record away from St James Park' is a prime reason why they have won only one of their last six games on the road and only won five matches away from home all season.

The goalless draw against the title-chasing United in midweek should give them a confidence boost ahead of a clash with a struggling Blackpool side that have won just once in 13 matches. As a result, the home side are 7/4 to win the game, with the draw priced at 13/5.

Holloway's side have also not kept a clean sheet in any of those games and indeed they have conceded a goal in every one of their home matches all season – which could be a boost to a Newcastle side who could ensure their top-flight future with a win on the coast.

Newcastle will have captain Kevin Nolan (7/1 to be first goalscorer) back in their side after suspension and the midfielder, who is their top scorer with 12 goals, will be making his 300th Premier League appearance.

Tim Krul will continue in goal as Steve Harper is out with a knee problem, while Hatem Ben Arfa remains out but is nearing a first-team comeback after a double leg fracture.

Leon Best and Alan Smith are both out long-term and will miss the remainder of the season with ankle injuries, while Dan Gosling and Danny Guthrie miss out with knee and shin problems respectively.

Blackpool have been given a massive boost as Charlie Adam (8/1 to score the first goal), their captain and talisman, is fit after a foot injury and he will be partnered in midfielder by David Vaughan, who is back after a two-game absence with a hip problem.

A win for Newcastle would give them some measure of revenge on their opponents and take them level on points with eighth-placed Bolton. It would also push Blackpool even closer to the dreaded drop and increase the gloom around Bloomfield Road.