Lawro predicts.....

Newcastle haven't won in six games but they are still playing some good football, and the quality of Demba Ba's goals in Wednesday's defeat by West Brom was outstanding.

Bolton's win over Blackburn on Tuesday was massive for them and for manager Owen Coyle, and the encouraging thing for him is that they could have won that game more comfortably.

But it looks like they are going to lose defender Gary Cahill in January, which is a major blow for them, and I am still not sure where their goals are going to come from at the other end either.

Both sides could really do with the win but I can see the points being shared in this one.

Prediction: 1-1

 

We're going to lose then.

 

What a twat.

 

Bolton v Newcastle
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2
Newcastle have had injuries lately and lost a few games but I still fancy them to beat Bolton. Fabricio Coloccini struggled against Shane Long's pace during the defeat to West Brom but Bolton haven't really got many quick players. Plus, with Demba Ba up front Newcastle can always nick a game and I'd back him to do that against a poor home defence. I know Bolton got a big win against Blackburn, but I don't see them suddenly surging to safety.

Merson.

 

The only thing the pair of them can pick is their nose!

What a waste of license payers money. Time the beeb were inundated with complaints.

 

I guarantee there will be more than 2 goals in this one.

 

I quite like Paul Merson. Lawro can **** off though!

 

Maybe Cahill will be "rested" what with Chelsea poking about

 

Was thinking this, apparently they are in talks so surely his head won't be right to play.

 

We have an appalling record both on Boxing Day and against Bolton, can see it being a draw. Can't remember the lat time we won on boxing day? Must be almost 10 years

 

NUFC - Boxing Day Record - Premier League era:

2010/11 Man City (h) lost 1-3
2009/10 Sheffield Wed (a) drew 2-2 (Championship)
2008/09 Wigan (a) lost 1-2
2007/08 Wigan (a) lost 0-1
2006/07 Bolton (a) lost 1-2
2005/06 Liverpool (a) lost 0-2
2004/05 Blackburn (a) drew 2-2
2003/04 Leicester (a) drew 1-1
2002/03 Bolton (a) lost 3-4
2001/02 smoggies (h) won 3-0
2000/01 Leeds (h) won 2-1
1999/00 Liverpool (h) drew 2-2
1998/99 Leeds (h) lost 0-3
1997/98 Derby (a) lost 0-1
1996/97 Blackburn (a) lost 0-1
1995/96 no game
1994/95 Leeds (a) drew 0-0
1993/94 no game

Our last Boxing Day away victory came against Sheffield Wednesday back in the 1988/89 relegation season.

 

Blimey, doesn't look good there ha. Past 10 boxing day matches - W1, D3, L6!

 

That just means we're due a win now.

 

Bolton

Bolton ended a five-match losing streak by beating Blackburn to climb off the foot of the table.
The Trotters have the worst defensive record in the division, conceding 39 goals.
Owen Coyle's side have lost all 13 matches in which they went behind.
Bolton are the only team not to have drawn a match in this season's Premier League.
Kevin Davies could play his 350th game for Bolton, while Martin Petrov is expected to make his 100th Premier League appearance.

Newcastle

Newcastle are winless in six games (D2, L4). They have only taken one point from four matches in December - the equal-lowest tally along with QPR.
They have won all seven matches in which they have opened the scoring this season - the best record in the division.
Demba Ba has scored Newcastle's last five goals, all coming in the last five matches.
Newcastle's most recent starting line up, against West Brom, had an average age of 24 years and 332 days old - their youngest in the division for five years.

 

We'll be 2-1 up at HT before going on to win 3-2.

The fact that I have a fiver on this at 150-1 has no bearing on my prediction.

 

Oh I see. So Lawro and Merse have realised what they have been doing all season. When they say we will lose, we win. So now they change their tune to hope for the opposite effect. Cheers kn*bheads.