Newcastle and Bolton both got off to good starts last week, with Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle securing a well-earned 1-1 draw at Man Utd and Gary Megson’s Bolton winning 3-1 at home to newly-promoted Stoke.

Keegan’s Argentine signings Gutierrez and Coloccini impressed on their debuts for the North-East club with their defence in particular looking more organised than last season’s – admittedly, though, Man Utd had most of the attacking play, with Newcastle keeper Shay Given brilliant and fortunate in equal measure.

Jonas Gutierrez’s positive running with the ball caused the champions no-end of problems and he should prove himself to be a very useful signing with more performances of that standard this season.

In their first game at St. James’ Park this season, Newcastle will be hopeful of following their good result at Old Trafford last week with a win against Bolton and their status as favourites (at an average price of $1.76 to win) reflects a mini-wave of optimism on Tyneside.

3 goals in 11 minutes leading up to half-time was enough to give Bolton the victory (3-1) over Premiership newcomers Stoke, who found a late consolation goal; Megson will be pleased that his new £10 million signing Johan Elmander scored the third and his other big signing Fabrice Muamba looked tidy in midfield.

Still, the win at home to Stoke, who are bound to need some time to settle into the league, does not take away the fact that Bolton are one of the weakest sides in the Premiership and will have a hard time avoiding the drop again this season.

Match Betting Previews 23-25 August 2008 >>> Premiership: Blackburn v Hull - Liverpool v Middlesbrough - Newcastle v Bolton - Stoke v Aston Villa - Spurs v Sunderland - WBA v Everton - Fulham v Arsenal - Wigan v Chelsea - Man City v West Ham - Portsmouth v Man Utd Bundesliga: Dortmund v Bayern - Werder v Schalke - Stuttgart v Leverkusen Ligue 1: Le Havre v Marseille - Lyon v Grenoble - Bordeaux v Nantes Champions League: Arsenal v Twente - Liverpool v Standard - Atletico v Schalke

Bolton’s first 11 away games last season until February brought an abysmal record of 0-3-8 and they ended last season recording only 2 away wins (vs Middlesbrough and Reading).

Also, Newcastle were solid at home to the worst sides in the league last season; their record against the bottom half at home was an impressive 6-3-0. Newcastle are $1.87 at Pinnacle to win and anything over $1.80 is well worth taking.

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Bet: Newcastle to win Odds: $1.87 Stake: 7pts Bookies: Pinnacle Sports

Match Betting Previews 23-25 August 2008 >>> Premiership: Blackburn v Hull - Liverpool v Middlesbrough - Newcastle v Bolton - Stoke v Aston Villa - Spurs v Sunderland - WBA v Everton - Fulham v Arsenal - Wigan v Chelsea - Man City v West Ham - Portsmouth v Man Utd Bundesliga: Dortmund v Bayern - Werder v Schalke - Stuttgart v Leverkusen Ligue 1: Le Havre v Marseille - Lyon v Grenoble - Bordeaux v Nantes Champions League: Arsenal v Twente - Liverpool v Standard - Atletico v Schalke