Newcastle remain winless after three games, but have two draws to their name and put in a resolute performance to earn a point at Manchester United. That result will give the Magpies confidence ahead of the visit of Arsenal but the bookies strongly fancy the Gunners, odds-on favourites at 4/7 with bet365.

BetVictor chalk Steve McClaren’s troops at 11/2 to secure their first win yet neutral cash might head, in significant volumes, towards William Hill’s 10/3 about an inconclusive affair given United’s results so far.

A second consecutive goalless encounter for Newcastle is a 12/1 shot at Ladbrokes and Stan James have trimmed the odds for the teams to be on level terms at the end of each half to 21/4.

Bookmakers are so dismissive of the Magpies’ chances that BetVictor rate them at as high as 7/5 when starting a goal up in the handicaps. On home soil against an Arsenal side not firing on all cylinders however, McClaren’s men might fancy their chances.

Fans feeling similarly confident can tackle bet365’s 11/2 about a home victory by one-goal, BetVictor quote a chunky 19/1 for the Magpies to shade it 2-1 and Winner.com quote 10/1 about the first goal coming from Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Sunderland got on the board at the third attempt last weekend, picking up their first point at home to Swansea. Sunderland are today BetVictor’s 19/4 underdogs as they travel to Aston Villa, who are odds-on at 17/20 courtesy of Skybet to make it three defeats in four for the Black Cats.

A second consecutive stalemate for Sunderland is priced by bet365 at 13/5 and the same firm mark 13/2 against another 1-1, although Ladbrokes’s 19/5 for it to finish in a score draw will be more attractive to less ambitious punters.

Those looking for trends will note that three of the pair’s last four Villa Park meetings have been goalless, available at 8/1 via Stan James while Advocaat’s men benefit from a goal start in Winner.com’s handicaps at odds of 19/20.

Black Cats fans can take on Skybet’s 11/2 for Advocaat’s side to prevail by a solitary goal, they’re 12/1 at BetVictor to register a 1-0 success and Jermain Defoe who has struck twice already this term, is 7/1 with Stan James to break the deadlock.

Despite their surprise home reverse to Bristol City last weekend, Middlesbrough are bet365’s 7/2 jollies to be promoted to the Premier League as champions and they’re also well fancied at 5/4 courtesy of Ladbrokes to get back to winning ways today as they travel to Sheffield Wednesday.

The hosts are 13/5 (Stan James) and Boro, 12/5 via BetVictor to return with a point, with a score draw at odds of 7/2 with bet365.

In Winner.com’s ‘Draw No Bet’ market, Aitor Karanka’s charges are a 1/2 chance but on paper they should pick up their second success of the campaign and Skybet quote them at 11/4 to do so by a one-goal margin.

In the correct score betting, Paddy Power’s 6/1 about a 1-0 away win stands out and with three goals already to his name this term, Kike catches the eye at 6/1 (BetVictor) to fire the first goal.

Hartlepool have won three of their opening four and BetVictor rate them as 11/8 favourites to maintain their solid start at the expense of Carlisle, who are 12/5 (Stan James) to claim a point.

Odds supplied by www.betrescue.com

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