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[u]Man United v Newcastle, Wednesday 19:45, Sky Sports 2[/u] These early round exchanges between the big clubs largely depend on the strengths of the second string and the crop of youngsters who are knocking on the first team door. Arsenal's relative success in this competition is often down to the full-blooded endeavours of their inexperienced players looking to impress after finally being given the chance. With this in mind, a third round date at Old Trafford is likely to be a severe test for Newcastle's injury-strewn squad against the might of Manchester United's resources. There is no question that Newcastle will take this competition seriously as their quest to bring in a first domestic cup since 1955 demands, though the squad is still depleted by a host of defensive ailments. Problems...

[b]Mike Norman takes a look at three Boxing Day fixtures and predicts easy wins for Liverpool and Manchester United, but he believes Bolton v Newcastle is much harder to call.[/b] [b]Bolton v Newcastle, KO: Boxing Day 15:00, Match Odds: Bolton 2.7, Newcastle 2.9, The Draw 3.5[/b] Bolton recorded a much needed win against relegation rivals Blackburn in midweek and they'll fancy their chances of another victory when an out-of-form Newcastle visit the Reebok Stadium on Boxing Day. Having said that, the Trotters have lost nine of their last 10 league games at the Reebok Stadium so confidence is unlikely to be too high. After a quite brilliant start to the season Newcastle find themselves without a win in six, injuries mounting up, and - not surprisingly in my opinion - having one...

[b]Liverpool and Chelsea are two of the most successful clubs in Carling Cup history, but Michael Lintorn isn't convinced that either will be in the quarter-final draw this year.[/b] [b]Stoke v Liverpool[/b] (19:45) Tony Pulis' side have tasted defeat just once in 21 games in 2011, and that was when they had little to play for at home to Wigan on the final day of last season. Factor into the equation their cup prowess - Manchester City are the only team in 18 matches over the last 19 months to have seen them off in 90 minutes, and they have won six of their first seven in the Europa League - and Liverpool's 2.22 favourite status appears rather bewildering. The Reds have been to the [b]Britannia Stadium[/b] four times since Stoke's promotion without success, heading home empty-handed...

[i][b]All England Cup Final 21:45[/b] [/i] [b]T1 Mill Bling Bling[/b] Impressive all the way win in semi-final after disappointing in heats when maybe distracted. Unsure if trap one is ideal, but may prove to be speed of the speed. Unbeaten win in Steel City Cup in August. Still improving; strong chance. [b]T2 Tudor Prince [/b]Performed heroics to win semi-final and fact he doesn't have to lead to win could be vital here, but very fast on bunny as he proved in heats. 5/5 record in trap 2 a plus especially as other principals not ideally drawn. Price makes him the pick. [b]T3 Longwood Fantasy [/b]Game effort in semi-final defeat to Blue Artisian and can reverse form with draws swapped round. Runner-up to Taylors Sky in Monmore Gold Cup. One win in 9 worrying, but big odds offer...

[u]Aston Villa v Newcastle[/u] Both clubs have made an unbeaten start to the season and Newcastle currently occupy fourth spot with Villa sitting two points behind in eighth. However, whilst the Magpies have recorded two wins, Villa have drawn three of their four games. Opta stats show that Alex McLeish's side have suffered just one league defeat at home in the last ten, winning five and drawing four. Over that period, they have failed to score just twice and seen only seven goals put past them. Newcastle have averaged a point per game in their last ten on the road, finding the net six times whilst conceding 11. Yet, Alan Pardew's team have given up just one strike so far this season and a solid defence has been their foundation. Villa have won five of the last six fixtures at...

[b]Michael Lintorn runs through four of the most interesting Opta stats about this weekend's Premier League games, looking at ways to use them for betting...[/b] [b]Sunderland[/b] have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 22 meetings with Newcastle in all competitions. Steve Bruce has carried out maintenance work on his defence this summer but it will take a while to mould them into a cohesive unit, with [b]Shola Ameobi[/b] no doubt keen to take advantage having netted four times in his last four clashes with the Black Cats. Sunderland have scored in seven of the last eight Tyne-Wear derbies too though, leaving it until the 90th minute to strike in each of the last two. There have been more hat-tricks scored in [b]Arsenal v Liverpool[/b] fixtures than any other in ...

[b]Given his talent, most clubs should want to sign Joey Barton on a free transfer, but Dan 'The Betting Man' Fitch thinks they might be put off by his outspoken Tweeting and unruly temperament.[/b] If you were asked to name the player whose name would be on the lips of every football supporter as the Premier League kicked off this week, then you'd probably go for a superstar such as [b]Wayne Rooney[/b] or Fernando Torres. Instead, everyone must accept second billing behind a player who turns out for a mid-table club, is available on a free transfer and has a solitary international cap. [b]Joey Barton[/b] is the most talked about footballer in the country right now. On and off the pitch, his antics are impossible to ignore. With Newcastle apparently willing to let him go this...

[b]Most punters know that Chelsea can normally be relied on to win their opener and Everton to lose theirs, but what about the others? Michael Lintorn investigates...[/b] [b]Strong starters[/b] The masters at getting underway with a win are [b]Chelsea[/b], having done so in each of the last nine seasons, last losing their opener back in 1998-99, back when conquerors Coventry were still in the Premier League and playing at Highfield Road. It is no surprise then that they are 1.67 to triumph at [b]Stoke[/b] on Sunday. Of the other title hopefuls, [b]Arsenal[/b] are the most impressive, last tasting defeat in their first game in 2000-01. Since then, the Gunners have kicked off with eight victories and two draws. They are 2.0 to continue that form in the first televised tie of the...

Only last week Arsène Wenger was speaking about the importance of holding on to a winning position. "A draw in this league punishes you," he said, before Arsenal's fortuitous 2-1 win against Everton. Not four days later his side threw away a four-goal lead at Newcastle which resulted in draw that was backed at 490.00 on Betfair. The temptation here is to criticise Arsenal's supine rearguard for crumbling under the pressure once again. After all, the Gunners' back-line is widely accepted as their Achilles heel and the fact that they became the first side in the history of the Premier League to lose a four-goal lead would appear to support this conviction. However, every performance should be judged on its own merit and on this occasion the main reason Arsenal - 3.9 to win the leagu...