Newcastle United scored as many goals against Southampton on Saturday as they had in their six previous Premier League games at St James’s Park and Rafa Benitez will have also been delighted with his side’s first clean sheet in the league against the Saints since October 2003.

Kenedy’s first goal for the Magpies calmed any nerves given it came after just 63 seconds and was just his second in the competition. Amazingly, it was not his quickest Premier League goal with his only previous goal for Chelsea in March 2016 coming after just 39 seconds!

United’s win took them to 13th in the table and just four points from a top-ten finish and they are 6/1 with BetVictor to end the campaign in the top half of the division.

The Magpies are five points above the drop zone and 12/1 with BetVictor to lose their Premier League status this term but Saturday’s result was huge and hopefully pivotal with Jonjo Shelvey providing two assists in a PL game for the fourth time in his career – but first in a Newcastle shirt.

There is a three-week gap to United’s next game against Huddersfield at St James’s Park.

Boro travel to Brentford at the weekend on the back of another three goals at the Riverside, this time against Barnsley. If Boro can keep Mo Besic fit - and us Evertonians know that is a big if – then Boro look certs for the top six given Patrick Bamford just cannot stop scoring goals at present.

Boro are 4/6 to make the play-offs at BetVictor and 5/1 to be promoted. The play-offs look likely to have a number of in-form sides in opposition with Aston Villa, Fulham, Derby and Boro occupying the spots at present.

Villa and second-placed Cardiff are in action midweek with the latter also travelling to Griffin Park and a meeting with a Brentford side who have lost two of their last three.

The Bees are 23/20 to beat Cardiff and that looks far too short given the recent form of the Bluebirds. Boro are 11/5 at BetVictor to win their fourth successive Championship game at the weekend and they will want to maintain their excellent recent record.

Sunderland are five points from safety after their latest defeat at Loftus Road and it is hard to make a case for the Black Cats maintaining their Championship status. Chris Coleman’s side are now 10/11 with BetVictor to finish bottom of the league – Burton 6/4 – Birmingham 9/2 - and 1/12 to be relegated.

Preston are the visitors to the Stadium Of Light on Saturday with the hosts 85/40 at BetVictor and the Lilywhites 13/10.

The Lancashire side are two places and four points behind Boro and they can do Tony Pulis’s side a favour if they could get a result at the weekend.

Hartlepool picked up a valuable point from a goalless draw with Boreham Wood at Victoria Park and Pools played the last 25 minutes with ten-men following the red card given to Scott Harrison.

Pools travel to AFC Fylde – who put seven past Aldershot on Saturday – at the weekend although the Coasters’ will also have a player suspended with Sam Finley seeing red for the third time this season with his second yellow card picked up for over-celebrating his second goal.

The hosts are 13/20 at BetVictor to keep the points with Pools 22/5 and the draw at 14/5. Pools are 11/10 at BetVictor to end the season in the bottom four with Guiseley, seemingly, doomed and Chester and Torquay both 1/66. Solihull are 5/4 and Barrow 4/1. A point against would be a cracking result.

For all you sporting odds check out BetVictor.com