The Premier League will send off the year with one heavyweight clash as a bruised and heated Manchester United will take on a Newcastle side, that has disappointed so far this season, but has managed to find its way to winning games. Two of England’s biggest teams are in positions that do not befit their stature and aspirations but will surely fight tooth and nail to get back to where they belong – in the top spots of the league.
Manchester United Team News
The Red Devils are enduring one of the darkest periods in their history, sitting 14th after Boxing Day with just 8 points separating them from the relegation zone. These are truly challenging times for such a prestigious club, and new manager Ruben Amorim faces an incredibly difficult task. While he has earned praise for his vision and his willingness to make tough decisions, he is also facing criticism for his perceived stubbornness in sticking with his preferred 3-4-3 formation. United have now lost three consecutive matches, failed to score in their last two outings, and, aside from a few moments of brilliance – such as their performance against Manchester City – have generally struggled to secure points.
Newcastle United Team News
Newcastle’s recent form seems to be on the up after a season that had left much to be desired. The Magpies have secured four consecutive wins across all competitions, including three in the Premier League, all while keeping clean sheets. This strong run has left the Geordies hopeful of breaking into the top 6. Despite this, Eddie Howe’s side has historically struggled at Old Trafford, but they will travel to Manchester as slight favourites due to their impressive recent performances. There’s a lot at stake for Newcastle—victory here would see them end 2024 in the Premier League’s top 6.
Head-to-Head-Games
Manchester United have lost just one of their last 39 home meetings with Newcastle, making them historically strong favourites for this encounter. However, recent form tells a different story, as Newcastle have won three of the last five meetings between the two sides. Two of those recent five matchups featured over 2.5 goals, and the last two meetings at Old Trafford also saw more than 2.5 goals.
| Rank | Teams | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal difference | Points | Current form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Manchester United | 19 | 6 | 4 | 9 | -5 | 22 | LWLLL |
| Rank | Teams | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal difference | Points | Current form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Newcastle United FC | 20 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 35 | WWWWW |
Manchester United – Newcastle United Betting Prediction
My pick for this encounter is over 2.5 goals. All of Manchester United’s last five home fixtures across all competitions have seen a high number of goals, and the trend is similar for Newcastle, with over 2.5 goals in each of their last five competitive matches. Given the stakes – Newcastle aiming for a top 6 spot and United needing a win to regain momentum – I expect both teams to go all out, producing an exciting match with plenty of goals. This clash promises to be a spectacle as both sides fight for vital points.
Betting Tip: Over 2.5 Goals
Bookmaker: Sportsbet.io
Odds: 1.73
Sportsbet.io
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