The English Premier League continues this weekend after the international break, so take a look at our tips and predictions for the Manchester United vs. Newcastle United match. With plenty of picks and markets to choose from, don’t waste your time and join the action at Get More Sports.
Manchester United vs. Newcastle United
Three-Way: 1: Man United -270; X: +490 Draw; 2: Newcastle +1400 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -1.5: Man United -106; Newcastle +102
Total +2.5: Over -109; Under +110
MANCHESTER UNITED
The Red Devils ended a three-game winning streak with a 0:1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and are now in the second position in the Premier League with eight points fewer than the rivals Man City. Once again, Jose Mourinho parked the bus and tried to secure a stalemate draw in a derby, but the Blues were better and deservedly took three points, while Manchester United suffered the third loss of the season, second in the last five games. Alvaro Morata’s goal was enough for the Blues to celebrate a significant victory, but United disappointed as they started to attack in the final ten minutes of the tilt. They weren’t really interested in scoring in the first half, and the defensive tactics proved to be the wrong one for Mourinho, but this clash with Newcastle at Old Trafford is something entirely else, and the Red Devils are huge favorites to get the victory.
Manchester United played 18 games so far in the 2017/18, recording 13 wins, two draws, and three losses, with a goal difference of 40:9, which is 2.72 goals per contest on average. The Red Devils have been phenomenal at home, winning all eight matches and conceding just one goal in the process. The last time United met Newcastle at Old Trafford, it ended 0:0, and while the hosts would take that result any day now, it will be pretty hard to avoid a defeat on Saturday. Manchester suffered only one loss to Newcastle at Old Trafford since 1998, while they scored 15 goals in the previous five home outings, so the Magpies should be worried about this one.
RomeluLukaku is the team’s top scorer with 11 goals in 17 appearances, but the Belgian failed to score in the last seven displays, and that has to be concerning for Jose Mourinho, whose side recorded just eight goals in those seven matches. The Belgian international was on the score-sheet for his national team in the mid-week, and he is eager to end the goalless streak for the Red Devils, so Lukaku must be a player to watch on Saturday. Marcus Rashford added seven goals so far, Anthony Martial has six, while Marouane Fellaini scored four goals to his name, and they are also significant contributors to the attack. Martial, Rashford and Henrik Mkhitaryan are the most creative individuals with six assists apiece, but the Armenian is not playing on the highest level at the moment, and the fans are concerned over his performances, but the former Borussia Dortmund playmaker still is Mourinho’s first choice ahead of Juan Mata. Martial and Rashford are currently in the best form of all United’s players, and I believe at least one of the could find a net on this one, while the defense should be strong enough to keep the clean sheet against the Magpies attack that is not quite efficient this season. Mourinho still cannot count on Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo who are out with cruciate ligament injuries, respectively, while the gaffer is also without a pair of midfielders Paul Pogba and Michael Carrick, who will not feature on Saturday. However, the Special One is delighted to have Fellaini back into contention after the Belgian missed time with a knee injury before returning to the pitch against Chelsea, logging 28 minutes off the bench.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
The Magpies are in a two-game losing run following narrow 0:1 defeats to Burnley and Bournemouth, and are currently in the 11th position in the Premier League with 14 points, nine behind the Red Devils. The most recent loss to the Cherries came at St. James’ Park as Steve Cook stunned the crowd with a game-winning header in the 92nd minute, so Newcastle collected zero points out of the last two outings. The concerning fact is that they failed to score in each of those losses and the efficiency is Rafa Benitez’s biggest problem, as he doesn’t have a true leader in the attack who will continue to score goals on a regular basis. While the Magpies are in the mid-table, it seems that they can do better, but I am afraid they are staring in the third consecutive defeat at Old Trafford.
Newcastle United played 12 games so far in this campaign, recording four victories, two draws, and six losses, with a goal difference of 12:13, which is a bit over two goals per contest on average. The Magpies are a tough team, and there weren’t a bunch of goals in their games this season, so even though the hosts are massive favorites on this one, I don’t think they will destroy Newcastle. Benitez’s side is without an away win in the last three matches, but they scored in four out of the previous five visits to Old Trafford, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they find the net behind De Gea’s back. However, the Red Devils allowed just one goal at home so far, and their defense is looking rock solid, so scoring a goal on Saturday would be a huge achievement for the Magpies. They need to do it before Man United scores first to have some chances of getting a positive result. Otherwise, if the hosts open up the scoring, Newcastle could be in all kind of trouble.
Jamaal Lascelles, Joselu, and Aleksandar Mitrovic are the team’s leading scorers with two goals apiece, but the fans are angry at Benitez because of his relationship with the Serbian striker Mitrovic, who scored two in just three appearances. Mitro scored goals for his national side in the international friendly with China, and he would certainly help Newcastle in the Premier League, but Benitez’s stubbornness and decision to favor Spanish forwards Joselu and Ayoze Perez, is keeping Mitrovic out of the first team. The efficiency is suffering as a result of the gaffer’s philosophy, and the fans are far from happy, and we’ll see whether Benitez will include the former Anderlecht striker at Old Trafford on Saturday. Rafa will be without the midfielder Mikel Merino who is sidelined with a lower back injury, while the left-back Paul Dummett is still absent with a hamstring injury and will not feature here. Captain Lascelles is struggling with an ankle issue and is listed as doubtful for this clash. In case he is unable to perform, Florian Lejeune or Chancel Mbemba could take his place in the starting eleven.
Manchester United vs. Newcastle United – Match Prediction
The visitors are not having the best of times in front of the goal lately, and I seriously doubt they are good enough to score at Old Trafford, especially considering United’s sturdy defense. On the other hand, Newcastle defense is not bad at all, but I am backing the hosts to score in both halves here.
MY PICK: Manchester United to win Half Time/Full Time (-110)
