Fifth meets 13th in Sunday’s late Premier League kick-off as Newcastle host Manchester United at St James’ Park.
Fresh from winning the League Cup last month, the Magpies are hoping to cap a glorious season by qualifying for the Champions League. Fifth place will be enough, but with Manchester City and Aston Villa breathing down their necks, they will want to get more points on the board.
Standing in their way is a Manchester United side in transition. Languishing in 13th place, all they are playing for is pride, with Europe out of touch and relegation not a threat.
They go into this game off the back of a 2-2 draw against Olympique Lyonnais in the Europa League on Thursday. A last-gasp equaliser for the French side levelled the scores ahead of next week’s second leg at Old Trafford. As this competition is Man Utd’s only route into Europe next season, their focus may be on this game rather than Sunday’s match at St James’.
NEWCASTLE VS MAN UTD PREVIEW
Newcastle were victorious in the reverse fixture back in December, winning 2-0 at Old Trafford. Goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton put the game to bed inside 20 minutes, with Man Utd unable to reply.
Last season’s corresponding fixture saw Newcastle win 1-0, an Anthony Gordon goal proving to be the difference.
Form is also on Newcastle’s side, having won their last three games in the Premier League. They have won four of their last six too, compared with two out of six for the Salford side.
Gordon is a doubt for Newcastle, having picked up a groin injury during the international break. He has yet to appear in team training. Joe Willock is definitely out due to concussion.
Kobbie Mainoo returned in Manchester United’s 2-2 draw against Lyon and could feature more here. Ayden Heaven should be back in training soon, but this game will likely come too soon for him. Toby Collyer is out with a knock.
Matthijs de Ligt and Amad Diallo are both out, but there are hopes they could return by the end of the season.
Despite gifting Lyon their two goals through errors, goalkeeper Andre Onana will likely be retained between the sticks.
NEWCASTLE VS MAN UTD – PREDICTIONS
Newcastle Win
Newcastle are on a three-match winning run in the Premier League and four overall if you count their success in the League Cup Final. With the battle for European places tight, they won’t want to throw points away here. Winning the reverse fixture at Old Trafford will also give them confidence. Man Utd, meanwhile, may have one eye on next Thursday’s Europa League second leg against Lyon.
Draw
Man Utd have drawn against both Arsenal (1-1) and Manchester City (0-0) within the last month. They can therefore compete with the league’s top sides. Both of those were at Old Trafford though. They did hold Liverpool to a 2-2 draw at Anfield back in January.
Man Utd Win
The Manchester side did win their last away game in the Premier League. However, this was against a Leicester outfit who are pretty much already relegated. Their problem this season has been a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal, with their forwards in particular lacking in confidence.
NEWCASTLE VS MAN UTD – BETTING TIPS
Newcastle Win
While Manchester United always have the power to surprise, their goalless draw against Manchester City last time out in the Premier League was somewhat lacklustre. With Newcastle on a four-match winning run in all competitions and needing the points more, I expect them to get the result here. Home advantage will also pay dividends while the pressure will be on Onana to cut out the errors in goal.
Both Teams To Score – No
Both teams have only scored once in the last seven fixtures between these two sides. This season, United have been particularly timid in attack, scoring just 37 Premier League goals. They have not scored in their last two Premier League games. Newcastle, meanwhile, have conceded only 39 goals this campaign. They kept a clean sheet against Leicester City last time out.
HEAD-TO-HEAD AND KEY STATS
- Newcastle and Manchester United have met on 180 occasions, dating back to the Newton Heath days in 1895. Man Utd have won 92, Newcastle have won 47 while there have been 41 draws.
- Man Utd have won just one of their last five games against Newcastle United in all competitions. They have also only won two of the last eight encounters.
- Newcastle are on a three-match winning run in the Premier League and four overall if you include their success in the League Cup Final.
