Newcastle United host Manchester United at St James’ Park in the fight for a top-four finish.
With Tottenham not in action until Monday evening, victory would see Newcastle leapfrog Man Utd into third in the table on goal difference.
Man Utd meanwhile can move six points clear of the Magpies with a win and stay third.
Team News
Anthony Gordon faces a late fitness test as he looks to return to the matchday squad for Newcastle, having missed their last two matches with an ankle injury.
Joelinton is available after completing a two-match ban alongside Nick Pope (thigh), Sven Botman (illness) and Allan Saint-Maximin (hamstring).
Miguel Almiron (thigh), Ryan Fraser (personal) and Emil Krafth (knee) remain absent.
Man Utd could be without Marcus Rashford after a toe injury forced the forward to withdraw from international duty for England.
Raphael Varane (unspecified), Marcel Sabitzer (knock) and Anthony Martial (fitness) are also considered doubts and could face late fitness tests.
Goalkeeper, Tom Heaton has been ruled out for a few weeks with an ankle injury.
Casemiro (suspension), Christian Eriksen, Alejandro Garnacho (both ankle), Donny van de Beek (knee) and Mason Greenwood (personal) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Man Utd at St James Park in a 4:30pm BST kick-off on Sunday 2 April, live on Sky Sports in UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle are winless in their last six league meetings against Man Utd (D2, L4).
- Man Utd are unbeaten in four of their last six visits to Newcastle (W2, D2, L2).
- There hasn’t been two consecutive goalless draws between Newcastle and Man Utd in the Premier League.
- Alexander Isak has scored three goals in his last two appearances for Newcastle (W2).
- Failure to score would see Man Utd go three consecutive league games without a goal for the first time since January – February 2020.
Prediction
Having recently came through their rut with just two league defeats, Newcastle are now back to winning ways with two consecutive wins but they really can’t afford to lose ground in this run-in if want a top-four finish despite having two games in hand on Spurs.
Eddie Howe though will be buoyant by how his Magpies responded to falling behind last time out at Nottingham Forest through a sloppy defensive blunder, with a strong attacking display despite only Isak having the crucial end product to turn the result around.
Man Utd meanwhile were lucky to beat Fulham in their FA Cup Quarter-Final because they were otherwise sluggish, yet somehow managed to click once the Cottagers were reduced to nine men with a ruthless comeback.
Erik Ten Hag’s Red Devils therefore must improve otherwise they’re facing a tough fight for a Champions League spot, especially as they also chase FA Cup and Europa League titles in the run-in which is only going to test their fitness performance more than it has already in recent months.
Either way, there is a lot riding on this game and although Man Utd have the better form in this fixture, I do feel that Newcastle could extract revenge for their Carabao Cup Final defeat in late February if they play their best football and avoid more defensive sloppiness.
Prediction: Newcastle United 2-1 Manchester United
Result: Newcastle United 2-0 Manchester United
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