Burton Albion vs Newcastle Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

The fact these two clubs are in the same division is remarkable enough and testament to Burton’s incredible rise from non-league to the Second Tier not to mention Newcastle’s failings last season. Under Rafa Benitez though, they feel like a club heading in the right direction and it’s hard to see them not finishing in the top two this season. On paper they should have too much quality for the Brewers here and an away win looks the most likely outcome.

Burton have done pretty well at home this term but you just sense with the festive period looming, the reality of the task required to stay in this league is starting to sink in and they are now just one place above the drop-zone. Their only win in their last 7 Championship games was a narrow one at home to a very poor Rotherham side and they’ve scored just 2 goals in those other 6 games which suggests they’ll have trouble breaking down a strong Newcastle defence.

The Magpies have had the odd blip but when they are at or close to their best, they invariably win. They’ve lost the same number of games as fellow big boys Aston Villa have but while the Claret & Blues have been drawing with alarming regularity, Newcastle have been winning. They’ve drawn just one match this season and have picked up more points on their travels than at home. They’ve won an excellent 73% of their away games and it’s their defence as much as their attack that has led to that. They’ve conceded just 0.45 goals per game away from home and with Dwight Gayle banging in the goals at the other end, that’s invariably led to them collecting maximum points.

It’s hard to see a Burton side who failed to score at home to a weakened Huddersfield team in midweek causing Newcastle too many problems. The Magpies have won 64% of their away games to nil this season and therefore backing Newcastle to win to nil at 8/5 looks like the value bet.