Goal.com

The first leg tie between these two sides ended goalless last week but Willie Duncan expects both teams to come out with all guns blazing when they meet again on Thursday

The Europa League last-16 tie between Newcastle United and Anzhi Makhachkala is wide open after the two sides played out a tense 0-0 draw in Russia last week.

Alan Pardew’s side will be hoping that home advantage can play a key role when these sides meet again for the return leg at St James’ Park on Thursday night.

The Magpies are chalked up as William Hill’s 6/4 (2.50) favourites to claim a victory on the night that will see the home side into the last eight of the competition.

Anzhi can be backed at 19/10 (2.90) with the same firm to win on Tyneside. Draw backers were rewarded in last week’s first leg tie and William Hill go 21/10 (3.10) that this meeting also ends in stalemate.

Of course, irrespective of the result, the tie must be decided on Thursday and Newcastle United are available at 6/5 (2.20) to progress in the competition.

However, the odds compilers believe that the Magpies’ hopes could be severely dented by their inability to score a crucial away goal in Russia last week and, so, Guus Hiddink’s men are warm favourites at 8/13 (1.62) to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Papiss Cisse was Newcastle’s hero on Sunday when the Senegal international striker popped up with a last-minute winner against Stoke City and William Hill’s “headline offer” of 5/1 (6.0) that Cisse scores at any time in a home win is sure to attract plenty of support.

Anzhi, though, may well come looking for goals and former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o is likely to lead the attack once more for the big-spending Russian outfit.

William Hill also go 5/1 (6.0) that the Cameroon international is on target in a win for the visitors – another “headline offer” from the odds compilers.

Newcastle’s Europa League campaign has been goal-shy thus far but, with both sides knowing that victory will see them through, this match promises to be more open.

Both teams have scored in six of Newcastle’s last eight home matches in all competitions and the 19/20 (1.95) quote from William Hill for both teams to be on target again here offers considerable appeal and should be snapped up by punters.

With home advantage, the Magpies can edge what promises to be an exciting encounter and the 17/2 (9.50) quote from William Hill for the hosts to win 2-1 represents outstanding value that is sure to entice those looking to back bigger prices.

BET

OF THE

DAY

BEST BET

VALUE BET

Both teams to score at 19/20 (1.95) with William Hill

Newcastle United to win 2-1 at 17/2 (9.50) with William Hill

Sign up with William Hill for a £25 free bet

Willie Duncan is a freelance sports journalist. Willie, from Edinburgh, has covered Scottish football for over 10 years and he specialises in football betting markets from across Europe. You can also follow Willie on Twitter

Follow GoalBetting on