Newcastle will be hoping to continue their promising start to the Europa League as they take on Belgian side Club Brugge at St James’ Park this Thursday.

Best Odds:

Newcastle – 1.65 with Bwin

Brugge – 4.10 with Bet Victor

Draw – 5.75 with Bet Victor

games and have also kept clean sheets in both fixtures. After a crushing loss away to Bordeaux in their opening game, Brugge gained a comfortable victory over Maritimo to put them back in qualification contention and they sit just one point behind the home side.

The quality of some of Newcastle’s squad has seemed to mask their patchy domestic form so far this season – they have won just one of their last seven games and that was a slender victory over lowly Norwich. Their defence has also been less than watertight, having kept just one clean sheet in the league also.

Brugge have started their season brightly and have maintained their position at the top of the table for the previous eight weeks. Their form recently hasn’t been as impressive though – they were thumped 4-1 at the weekend by mid-table OH Leuven whilst they have gone five away games without a victory in all competitions.

As ever, the unpredictable nature of team selection in this competition makes it very difficult to predict any outcome. Alan Pardew put out a virtual reserve team in the draw at Maritimo but used a number of first team players in the victory over Bordeaux. Granted that they have a home fixture against West Brom this weekend, you would expect Pardew to put out a decent core of first-teamers for this game.

Newcastle vs Bruges Best Bets

Tips: Newcastle to win 2-0 at 8/1 with William Hill – Get a free £25 when you sign up

Shola Ameobi to score first at 6.5/1 with Paddy Power – Bet £10 and get £20 free if you are a new customer

Europa League Best Free Bets (click the offer to get the free bet): 

Bwin – free £20          Betway – risk free £25           Bet Victor – free £25          Bet365 – free £200           Sky Bet – no deposit free £10