The second Super Sunday match sees Newcastle United host Manchester United at St James Park.
Newcastle enter this game potentially in bottom three if Huddersfield win the lunchtime match, whilst Manchester United are second.
Team news
Newcastle will give loan signing, Islam Slimani a late fitness test as the Algerian struggles to shake off a thigh injury.
Centre back, Ciaran Clark has overcome a knee niggle so is expected to keep his starting place.
Manchester United fans and Jose Mourinho will be pleased that there are no fresh injury issues.
Swedish striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is back in training but Mourinho isn’t considering him for selection.
Eric Bailly and Marouane Fellaini are both still out injured.
Form
Newcastle come here in modest form, having taken seven points from a possible 21 since beating West Ham 3-2 on 23rd December.
Man Utd enter this clash in better form, despite losing their last away game at Tottenham Hotspur.
The Red Devils have earned 14 points from their last seven league games with a (W4 D2 L1) record.
Goal wise, the Magpies have scored eight goals to Man Utd’s 14 since the start of 2018 across all competitions.
Stat Attack
- In 22 Premier League meetings on Tyneside, this fixture has seen Man U win 12 of those meetings to Newcastle’s four. Six clashes ended in draws, including their last meeting here in January 2016 which finished 3-3.
- Newcastle haven’t won in last eight home league games.
- Mourinho has never won at St James Park in the league but clinched three draws and defeats apiece. Altogether from nine meetings on Tyneside, Mourinho has won just twice with both wins coming in the League Cup 2004-05 and 2006-07 Quarter Finals stage.
- The ‘Special One’ however holds the upper hand over Rafa Benitez in 13 meetings as managers with seven wins to Benitez’s three. There has also been three draws between these rivals.
Where game be won or lost
| Per game average (home/away) | Newcastle United (home) | Manchester United (away) |
| Corners | 5.15 | 5 |
| Fouls | 11.23 | 11.15 |
| Shots | 11.38 | 12.15 |
| Shots on Target | 3.69 | 4.38 |
| Goals | 0.85 | 1.69 |
| Yellow cards | 1.54 | 1..92 |
| Red cards | 2 | 1 |
* Stats provided by Footstats.co.uk
Attack wise, Man Utd seem stronger but both teams are evenly matched when it comes to fouls.
Newcastle are more dominant at corners but their home discipline is a slight concern, having averaged two red cards from 13 home games.
Nevertheless, the Red Devils average more yellows but one less red card so this match could very well be won in the discipline department.
Prediction
Although Newcastle will fight hard, I am expecting an away victory because they’re strong all over pitch and that is regardless of Mourinho’s contrasting record against the Toon Army and Benitez respectively.
Prediction: Newcastle United 1-2 Manchester United
Jake predicts: Newcastle United 0-1 Manchester United
Result: Newcastle United 1-0 Manchester United