Newcastle’s magnificent win against Manchester United last weekend was Rafa Benitez’s sixth win over Jose Mourinho in all competitions and Red Devils boss has only suffered defeat more at the hands of Pep Guardiola (nine) – such is the pedigree of the Magpies boss.

Newcastle travel to Bournemouth on Saturday and a quick glance at the table shows how valuable those three points over Mourinho’s side were.

Bournemouth were thrashed 4-1 at Huddersfield last weekend, but the Cherries are 23/20 favourites at BetVictor with the draw at 12/5 and United at 27/10.

An away win would take Newcastle level on points with Eddie Howe’s side and it is worth pointing out that the hosts are evens at BetVictor to end the season in the top half with the Magpies 10/1.

A win for United at the Liberty Stadium and those odds would be turned dramatically on their head.

Sunderland travel to Bolton on Tuesday on the back of a desperately disappointing 2-0 reverse against Brentford at the Stadium Of Light on Saturday.

The Black Cats are now 1/3 with BetVictor to be playing League One football next season and their midweek trip is another cup final with the hosts evens for the drop after their defeat to QPR on Saturday.

The Trotters are just two points above the drop zone and are 13/10 at BetVictor to keep the points with Sunderland 11/5 and the draw at 23/10.

With the other two sides in the relegation places Barnsley and Burton Albion meeting at Oakwell it is fair to say, tomorrow night could be a pivotal evening in the fight to avid the drop.

Boro entertain Hull tomorrow and need to get back to winning ways after their narrow but comprehensive defeat at Cardiff.

Hull were well beaten at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup on Friday and Boro could do Sunderland as well as themselves a favour if they keep the points on Teesside given the Tigers begin the game just one point above the relegation zone.

Boro are a shade of odds on at 8/11 to keep the points against the Tigers but out to 2/1 (from 5/4) at BetVictor to end the season in the top six.

With the Tees-Wear derby to come on Saturday this is a big week for our two local Championship clubs. Boro are even money to win at the Stadium Of Light with BetVictor with the hosts 29/10 and the draw at 5/2.

Hartlepool travel to Halifax tomorrow on the back of their first win in 13.

The Shaymen will leapfrog Pools if they keep the points and this is another vital game for one of our North-East clubs in the battle to avoid the drop. Pools are 14/5 at BetVictor to win back-to-back with Halifax 20/21 and the draw at 5/2.

Pools are 5/4 to be relegated from the National League at the end of the season and the Shaymen 9/4 – a draw would not be the worst result although Halifax haven’t won in the League so far this year.