The Championship strugglers have pulled off a few upsets this season, and are fighting for their lives.
Newcastle United’s Matt Ritchie (L) has a penalty appeal turned down after this challenge by Wigan Athletic’s Jake Buxton
Many have tipped Newcastle United for victory in their next Championship fixture against Burton Albion, but the Magpies would be far from wise to just assume a win’s for granted against Nigel Clough’s side.
Since defeating both Brighton and Hove Albion and Huddersfield Town, Newcastle have stuttered in their recent fixtures – drawing with both struggling Birmingham City and Reading, losing to Fulham and narrowly defeating a Wigan Athletic side set to go down 2-1.
Burton have hardly set the league alight this year, but they have proved many people wrong in their debut Championship season, and have taken some notable scalps along the way.
Albion have taken four points off both Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County, while an away trip to high flying Huddersfield Town at the weekend saw Burton snatch a 1-0 win with a 96th minute goal from Jackson Irvine.
Newcastle United’s Matt Ritchie is congratulated by Newcastle United Manager Rafael Benitez after the match
By the time the two take to the field on Wednesday, Newcastle could be in second place as Brighton host Birmingham on Tuesday evening, while Burton could find themselves one point above the drop zone if results go against them.
If Newcastle carry out their gameplan set by manager Rafael Benitez, they should win – but if they take Burton for granted, there’s a very strong possibility they’ll be punished like Huddersfield were.
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