Newcastle United welcome Manchester United to St James’ Park in Monday Night Football in a huge clash in the races for survival and Europe respectively.
Victory would see Newcastle climb to 18th but stay in the relegation zone on goal difference, whereas a win would lift Man Utd up to fifth in the table.
Team News
Isaac Hayden is suspended for Newcastle after picking up his fifth booking of the season in the Magpies’ defeat to Manchester City last weekend.
Jonjo Shelvey (knock), Javier Manquillo and Emil Krafth (both illness) are doubts but Federico Fernandez (thigh), Jamal Lewis (hamstring) and Paul Dummett (calf) are ruled out.
Man Utd could welcome Raphael Varane back from a hamstring injury.
Victor Lindelof, Juan Mata (both illness), Edinson Cavani (tendon), Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Anthony Martial (both knee) are also set to be in contention.
Paul Pogba remains ruled out with a quad injury.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle have won just two of their last nine meetings against Man Utd (W2, L7).
- Man Utd have won two of their last five visits to St James’ Park (W2, D1, L2).
- Utd have won three of their last four clashes in this fixture by a 4-1 result, in which Bruno Fernandes scored once in the latter two results.
- Six of Cristiano Ronaldo’s seven league goals this season have been scored on his right foot.
- Coming into this matchweek, no team has conceded more goals than Newcastle with 41 goals conceded in 18 matchweeks.
Prediction
Defending was Newcastle’s worst element of their defeat against Man City because their defensive ability was simply atrocious, which simply needs to improve because this won’t be another easy game yet their attack showed promising improvement despite impatient finishing.
Man Utd meanwhile haven’t played for two weeks so I am interested to see how much progress those who have been able to train have made, although rustiness might be an initial weakness but once Utd hit their stride, they should have enough quality to hurt Newcastle’s defence.
On that note, Newcastle probably will need to pounce early on when Utd are at their most vulnerable match fitness wise and then control their lead, otherwise I can see just one result coming and it won’t be a positive outcome for the hosts.
Prediction: Newcastle United 0-2 Manchester United
Result: Newcastle United 1-1 Manchester United
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