Newcastle maintained their lead at the top of the Championship table, beating Rotherham 4-0 in a rout that is likely to leave the sides playing two divisions apart next term.

It was a case of ‘no Dwight Gayle, no problem’ for Rafa Benitez’s outfit, as the Magpies shorten ever further to return to the top-flight next season; 1/25 with BetVictor to achieve promotion and 1/ 2 favourites to go up as Champions.

The Magpies now turn their attentions to the FA Cup at the weekend and are 8/13 favourites to turn Oxford United over at the Kassam Stadium in the fourth round; the League One outfit 17/4 and 3/1 to earn a replay in the North-East.

Middlesbrough are also in action against lower league opposition and are 1/ 4 favourites when hosting Accrington at the Riverside on Saturday; Stanley 11/1 to produce a cup upset and 4/1 with BetVictor to earn a replay.

Aitor Karanka’s side could do with a cup run to provide a welcome distraction from a poor run of league form, with just one from their last eight PL games.

BetVictor make Boro 40/1 dark horses to be lifting silverware aloft at Wembley in May, Newcastle 33/1 chances, in a wide open market.

Sunderland have the week off after their Turf Moor defeat in a replay from the previous round, and David Moyes’ side sat bottom of the Premier League table with 16 games remaining.

The Black Cats lost 2-0 at the Hawthorns on Saturday and, after picking up just one point from their last five league games, are now 2/11 favourites for the drop and 11/8 with BetVictor to finish bottom of the pile.

Dave Jones was brought in at Hartlepool to ensure they likewise avoid the drop and, took a massive step towards survival with a 2-0 defeat of Stevenage at the weekend.

Jones landed something of a punt last weekend for Pools’ punters, backed into 1/3 from 16s within minutes of the market to replace Craig Hignett opening with BetVictor, and the feel good factor moves onto Newport at the weekend with Hartlepool 2/1 to claim back-to-back league wins for the first time this season; County 11/8 and the draw 12/5 with BetVictor.