Newcastle United host Manchester United at St James’ Park in a top-seven Premier League clash.
Currently sat seventh and sixth respectively separated by just one point, victory could see Newcastle or Man Utd climb to fifth with Tottenham not in action until Sunday.
Team News
Newcastle have no fresh injury concerns after their controversial 1-1 draw away to PSG in midweek Champions League action.
Dan Burn, Elliott Anderson (both back), Matt Targett, Callum Wilson (both hamstring), Sven Botman (knee), Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Sandro Tonali (suspension), Joe Willock (Achilles), Harvey Barnes (foot), Sean Longstaff (ankle) and Javier Manquillo (groin) remain absent.
Man Utd will welcome Marcus Rashford back into contention after he was suspended for their 3-3 draw at Galatasaray in the Champions League in midweek.
Jonny Evans (thigh), Lisandro Martinez (foot), Casemiro (hamstring), Mason Mount (calf), Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen (both knee), Jadon Sancho (personal) and Amad Diallo (knee) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Man Utd in a 8pm GMT kick-off on Saturday 2 December at St James’ Park, live on TNT Sport 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle have won just one of their last seven league meetings against Man Utd (W1, D2, L4).
- Man Utd have claimed eight points in their last seven league visits to Newcastle (W2, D2, L3).
- Newcastle’s Joe Willock has scored in each of his last two appearances against Man Utd in all competitions (W2).
- Anthony Gordon has scored in each of Newcastle’s last three league matches at home (W3).
- Man Utd have kept clean sheets in three of their last four away matches in the top-flight (W4), except for a 2-1 win at Sheffield United in October 2023.
Prediction
Despite their injury crisis, Newcastle have coped admirably well especially with a resilient counter-attacking style against PSG, but they now need to take the anger over a late cruel handball decision and turn it into motivation in this important clash if want to push for the top four again.
Man Utd meanwhile are a team of two halves because they are in strong form domestically, yet their European form has been poor with silly defensive blunders having allowed Galatasaray to snatch a draw from two goals down on two separate occasions.
Now if the European version of Man Utd roll up on Tyneside, I can see Newcastle beating them but if the domestic version turns up, I can see a tough battle which might well end in a score draw.
Prediction: Newcastle United 1-1 Manchester United
Result: Newcastle United 1-0 Manchester United
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