Carling Cup

Spot on here, as the Magpies triumphed 2-0.

Very few teams can be trusted in the Carling Cup but such is the demand for silverware on Tyneside that Sam Allardyce must view this as a decent opportunity to go close to grabbing a trophy.

The Magpies open up against Barnsley at St. James’s Park and with key players needing match practice, Michael Owen in particular, Allardyce could well field a strong eleven for the visit of the Tykes.

A 2-2 draw at local rivals Middlesbrough on Sunday cemented their decent start to the new campaign and the home side remain unbeaten. Only a stubborn Aston Villa have provided much resistance to an exciting looking forward line so far this term and I like the look of the hosts giving up a goal and a half on the Asian handicaps.

They are 2.04 with Ladbrokes to do so and given they are a general 1.33 shot to win in ninety minutes, that price looks pretty fair.

Their opponents leak goals for fun, it is eight conceded in just their first three league fixtures, and have a long season ahead.