Manchester United look to bounce back from a shock Super Sunday defeat at Watford as they welcome Newcastle United to Old Trafford.
Depending on how results earlier in the day play out, both teams could be on the cusp of the top ten looking to possibly as high as sixth, although a win for Newcastle would see the Magpies leapfrog the Red Devils.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesPaul Pogba is set to start for Manchester United after making a substitute appearance on Sunday, following a three month stint out with an ankle injury.
Axel Tuanzebe is a doubt with a hamstring injury but will face a late fitness test.
Marcos Rojo (groin), Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Eric Bailly (both knee) are still sidelined but are expected to return over the next week or two.
Newcastle could welcome Jetro Willems and Ki Sung-Yeung back from a respective knee injury and illness.
Paul Dummett is a doubt with a groin injury picked up at the end of Saturday’s win over Crystal Palace.
Ciaran Clark could return at New Year from a calf injury but Jamaal Lascelles (heel) and Matt Ritchie (ankle) are unlikely to be risked until the Magpies’ FA Cup trip to Rochdale.
Allan Saint-Maximin remains out with a thigh injury but could return in mid January.
Stat Attack
- Manchester United have won three of their last five meetings with Newcastle United (W3, L2).
- There has been four Boxing Day meetings between these teams (W3, L1), of which three took place at Old Trafford with Man Utd winning those three games.
- Both teams have scored in four of their last six meetings at Old Trafford.
- Five of Marcus Rashford’s league-high 59 shots this season have hit the woodwork.
- Newcastle’s Martin Dubravka is yet to face a penalty this season.
Prediction
Man Utd put in an excellent attacking performance on Sunday but just lacked that final touch, which had been present in recent matches but I can see them quickly recovering from that blip.
Newcastle meanwhile had to really dig deep to see off Palace but they will need to be at their defensive best here, if they’re to stand any chance of taking at least one point from this game.
This therefore should be Man U’s to lose given their home form against Newcastle but both teams are currently in similar league form, so I am expecting a difficult encounter but am going for a home win.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Newcastle United
Result: Manchester United 4-1 Newcastle United
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