Rafa’s boys backed for the drop

Despite rumblings of a substantial financial takeover of the club, Newcastle United are proving popular with punters when it comes to relegation betting.

Oddschecker has revealed that The Magpies have attracted 31% of all total bets on which team will be relegated come the end of the season, with trouble in paradise looming over St James’ Park.

A string of poor performances for Rafa Benitez’ side has seen them slide into the bottom three without a great deal of optimism for the Geordies.

Picking up just 15 points after 18 games, the Toon are struggling to perform consistently under the stewardship of Benitez, with only West Brom and Swansea City faltering below them in the table.

The Magpies can still be backed best price at 3/1 with our bookmakers and are proving popular with punters, with the second most popular team for the drop being Southampton with 22% of bets.

Newcastle can be found shortest price at 13/8 to be relegated following a dismal run of results, a far cry from the opening line of 5/1 at the start of the season.

Oddschecker spokesman George Elek said: “It’s not all smiles and rainbows on Tyneside at the moment, with Newcastle struggling to gain any momentum or traction in the Premier League.

“Punters through Oddschecker are backing the Magpies to go down in their droves, despite the proposed takeover by Amanda Stavely and her consortium.”

This Saturday Newcastle host fellow battlers West Ham United in a tie that could shape the relegation battle heading into 2018.