EPL Week 19: Liverpool vs. Newcastle and 5 Hot-to-Trot Tips

It's not an understatement that Liverpool desperately needs a goal or two; and they need a point or three even more than that. Recent draws to Wigan and Blackburn have hurt their points total and another drop here would see them slip down to seventh on the ladder.

And the team to jump them would be Newcastle, who after disposing of Bolton 2-0 and recording one of last week's rare victories, will hold no fear in traveling to Anfield. They're nowhere near the brilliant form that they started the season with but they're heading back towards it and shape up as a formidable opposition.

With valuable points on the line in this one and both teams thinking they should be able take the points, this could get interesting.

Whether you're a die-hard supporter or just a casual observer, here are five hot-to-trot money-making tips that are sure to make this game is even greater for you.

1. Half Time Result: 0-0 Draw

It's no secret that Liverpool's current strength is their defense, conceding an average of less than one goal per game and only three goals all year in the first half.

And Newcastle, for all their high-scoring games in recent weeks, are still only averaging 1.38 goals per game and 1.22 goals against. With 60 percent of their goals coming in the second half, and Liverpool conceding only 28.6 percent of their goals in the first, this one could be a defensive battle early.

Luis Suarez is out due to suspension, and considering he's scored almost a quarter of their goals for the year, Liverpool could yet again struggle to find the back of the net.

Hot-to-trot tip: 0-0 Draw at Half Time

2. HT Result: Draw, FT Result: Newcastle

With Suarez out and Liverpool's offense continuing to struggle, Newcastle appear far more likely to get on the score-sheet in this one.

Newcastle have scored in all but one away match this year, and despite Liverpool having five home matches finish in a 1-1 draw they won't be good enough to get past Newcastle.

The Bolton match may prove to be a turning point for Newcastle's season and a match that we look back to. It might not also, but Newcastle should be good enough to get a goal in the second half in this one.

Hot-to-trot tip: HT Result Draw, FT Result Newcastle

3. Under 3.5 Goals for the Match

This is really just a safety call for me in this one.

I probably should be going under the 2.5, or even the 1.5, but I just can't bring myself to do it.

It's definitely not Liverpool that worry me. As I've mentioned, with Suarez out due to suspension they will be truly lacking up front and if they thought it was hard to score in recent weeks, this week just got a whole lot harder.

It's Newcastle that worries me.

They're averaging less than 1.5 goals both for and against per game, but they are due to explode soon. For me, they are the danger team in the competition. They've probably lost too many matches now to be a serious championship threat, but they are more than capable of taking serious points of the big clubs.

And that's what worries me.

But feel confident to take the under 2.5 as nearly 80 percent of Liverpool's matches have gone under and over half of Newcastle's away games have gone under also, but I'm just not sure.

Play it safe and take the under 3.5 goals for the match.

Hot-to-trot tip: Under 3.5 goals for the match

4. Final Score: Liverpool 0, Newcastle 1

When it comes down to it, I can't see Liverpool scoring and I can see Newcastle.

And whilst predictions shouldn't be that simple, for me, this one is. I may be proven wrong; Liverpool may come out firing at home and rattle off a few quick ones but we'd all be surprised if that happens.

Especially without Suarez. I'm harping on about it, because it's a big loss. To lose what is clearly your best goal scorer for the year in a side that is clearly struggling for goals, it's suddenly a huge loss.

Newcastle will press hard after half time and should have enough class to get on the board. Too much heart, too much fight and too much defense for Liverpool will result in a 1-0 win for Newcastle.

Hot-to-trot tip: Newcastle to win 1-0

5. Demba Ba to Score the First Goal

Throughout the season I've backed Ba four times to score at any point in the match for four winners so I don't think we should stop a good thing.

He's scored a stunning 14 goals for the season, which is nearly 60 percent of their total goals and is their penalty taker should the moment arise. Ba has also made the score-sheet in five out of Newcastle's six away games for the year.

I would back him to score at any point, but considering I'm suspecting a low-scoring affair with few real chances, back him as the first goal scorer for a little extra value.

Hot-to-trot tip: Demba Ba to be the first goal scorer