FA Cup Third Round: Newcastle v Blackburn Odds and Betting Preview

NEWCASTLE, UK – Newcastle United host Blackburn Rovers this afternoon in the third round of the FA Cup. Newcastle will be playing with the advantage of an enthusiastic home crowd, and start the game as strong favourites to win at 13/20 (bet £20 to make £13 profit) with William Hill. For those punters expecting the away side to progress to the next round, however, Blackburn can be backed at 5/1 with Paddy Power, whilst the draw is on offer at 3/1 with Ladbrokes.

Both of these two sides have defeated Manchester United in the last week, securing unlikely victories that surprised pundits and delighted fans. Perhaps the more surprising result of the two was Blackburn’s 3-2 victory away at Old Trafford; Blackburn are currently dead last in the league table, and would not have anticipated securing three points away against Manchester United. This is not, however, to underplay the significance of Newcastle’s commanding 3-0 victory over the same club on Wednesday. Both Blackburn and Newcastle will be enormously encouraged by these results, and it will be fascinating to see if they start today’s game with a similar level of focus and aggression.

In the over/under betting the top price on over 2.5 goals being scored is 4/5 with Coral, whilst under 2.5 goals is on offer at 11/10 with Victor Chandler. For those punters expecting this game to result in a dreary goalless draw, however, under 0.5 goals can be backed at longer odds of 12/1 with the same bookmakers.

Newcastle will sorely miss the presence of star striker Demba Ba this afternoon, who will be absent due to the African Cup of Nations. Ba has scored 15 times in 15 league appearances this season, netting over half of his side’s goals. In his absence, Newcastle team mate Leon Best is thought the most likely player to open the scoring at 11/2 with Skybet. Blackburn’s most potent attacking force this season has been Yakubu, who remains available after Nigeria failed to qualify for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations. Yakubu can be backed to break the deadlock at longer odds of 10/1 with Boylesports.

Newcastle are quoted at best odds of 13/20 with William Hill to win the match after leading at half time, whilst draw/Newcastle is on offer at 7/2 with Boylesports. Draw/Blackburn is available at 11/1 with Blue Square, whilst Newcastle/Blackburn can be backed at odds as long as 50/1 with Paddy Power.

Kick-Off is at 15.00 GMT

Newcastle v Blackburn Match Odds

Newcastle v Blackburn Over/Under Odds

Newcastle v Blackburn First Goalscorer Odds

Newcastle v Blackburn Half-Time/Full-Time Odds