Newcastle vs Man Utd: Preview and Prediction

Wednesday 2nd January 2019

England Premier League
Wednesday 2nd January 2019
Kick off at 8pm GMT
Venue: St. James' Park

Match Preview:

Rafa Benitez will know that this isn’t the right time to be facing a rejuvenated Manchester United as The Magpies will be looking to win only their 5^th game of the season.

Newcastle come into this match in 15^th place with 18 points and their last game finished in a 1-1 draw away to Watford which on the face of it was a decent point. But the club have won just 1 game from their past five and the threat of a relegation battle still looms large given that they are just 3 points from the bottom three.

At home they have not won a game in the past 3 and have the 2^nd to worst record in the league where they have picked up 7 points from 30.

If you looked up what ‘feel good’ means you might get Manchester United as an answer. The Red Devils have looked like a different team since the players decided to give 100% for their new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s. They come here after winning 3 games in a row and scoring 12 goals in those games with their latest victory ending in a 4-1 win over Bournemouth, United are on fire.

Their last away game ended by thrashing Cardiff 5-1 and on the road they have won 40% of their games. Indeed they have just one win in their past four away games, but we can’t count on the past weeks and months now that Solskjaer is here. The players have reacted to him and no longer look like a side not willing to put a shift in. This good form means that if they win here they will be just 3 points behind Arsenal and they have won 4 of their last 5 games.

Team News:

Newcastle: Fernandez will be hoping to be a part of the team after picking up what appears to be a minor hip injury. Ki Sung-Yueng is on international duty in the Asian Cup. Ciaran Clark is 50/50 to play after his delayed ankle problems

Manchester United: Eric Bailly is suspended after his sending off against Bournemouth. Marcus Rashford reported a groin strain but will be assessed. Marcos Rojo could return after his knock and Scott McTominay is 50/50 also with a knock

Head to Head:

Last season Newcastle won this fixture 1-0.

Earlier this season at Old Trafford Manchester United won 3-2.

Manchester United have not won at St James’ Park since 2015.

There have been 17 goals in the teams past four meetings.

Prediction:

Newcastle have played well against United in recent history, claiming wins, draws and were unlucky not to win earlier this season after being 2-0 up within 10 minutes. But everything has changed now and United will be seen as good favourites to win this game. Of course the honeymoon period will stop suddenly at one point, but we can see United getting another win before the Premier League breaks off for the FA Cup. It is hard not to think that there isn’t a least a couple of goals for the away side given that Newcastle have such a poor record at home. Get on Romelu Lukaku to score too, it was nice to see him get a goal at the weekend and his efforts like all of the others seem to have returned.

Recommended Betting Tips:

Manchester United to beat Newcastle at 1.57

Anytime goalscorer: Romelu Lukaku at 2.10