Newcastle vs Man Utd – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

The Red Devils have six wins in their last seven matches. The Magpies have lost four of their last six home matches.

Newcastle Form

Newcastle have lost six of their last 11 matches. The Magpies had been on a superb run of 10 wins in 12 home matches, but the wheels have since come off at St. James’ Park. Their last six home fixtures have seen four defeats. A shock 3-2 home defeat to Brentford made it three straight defeats.

Three straight victories followed, winning 2-1 at Tottenham (with 21 shots), winning 3-1 at Aston Villa in the FA Cup and smashing Qarabag 6-1. A 2-1 loss at Man City was followed by a 3-2 second leg win over Qarabag to progress 9-3 on aggregate. Their last match brought a shock 3-2 home defeat to Everton as the Magpies put up a paltry 1.03 xG.

Newcastle Team News

Eddie Howe is without Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento and Emil Krafth in defence. Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Miley are injured in midfield but Joelinton has returned to the fold.

Jacob Ramsey returns after illness, but Nick Woltemade is a major doubt after catching the illness. Anthony Gordon could play up front once again, whilst Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes are pushing for recalls.

Newcastle Motivation

Newcastle have been dire at home of late. They need a response in front of their own fans, and will try to win the match.

Eddie Howe’s set are set to attack and to use a high intensity approach. If leading, they may sit back and look to use a purely counter-attack focused strategy.

Man Utd Form

United’s seven matches under Michael Carrick have seen six wins and a draw. A 2-0 home win vs Man City with 2.27 xG was followed by a shock 3-2 win at Arsenal with a late winner. Another very late goal was needed to 3-2 at Old Trafford.  

Manchester United beat ten-man Tottenham 2-0 but needed a 96th-minute equaliser to rescue a 1-1 draw at West Ham. They won 1-0 at Everton before a 2-1 home win over Crystal Palace on Sunday. They faced ten men for 34 minutes and put up a 20-8 shot count.

Man Utd Team News

Man Utd will need late fitness tests to determine whether Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire can play in this match. Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt and Patrick Dorgu are all ruled out.

Mason Mount is still ruled out in midfield. Amad Diallo is competing with Benjamin Sesko for the final place in the front four.

Man Utd Motivation

United are full of belief and confidence. They are winning matches by narrow margins and scoring late goals with regularity.

Carrick’s side will go to St. James’ Park and try to win the match. They can’t open up too much against the pace of the Magpies.

Key Stats

• Newcastle have lost 6 of their last 11 matches in all competitions
• Newcastle have lost 4 of their last 6 home matches (10 wins in 12 at home before that)
• Man Utd have won 6 of their last 7 matches
• Man Utd’s Sesko has scored 7 goals in his last 348 minutes of football

Verdict

The Magpies are struggling at home and the defence looks shaky. Man Utd are playing with so much confidence that they may be worth backing for the three points.

Best Bet: Man Utd win at 2.44

Alternate Bet: Man Utd win and Both Teams to Score at 3.75

Goalscorer Tip: Sesko to score anytime at 3.20