Verdict: Nick Woltemade over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 3/4
Bookmaker: Dachbet
With all eyes falling on Old Trafford on Boxing Day, Manchester United will hope to find a route back into the European spots when they host Newcastle on Friday night.
Manchester United
Starting with the hosts, signing off October in the midst of a three-match winning run, it appeared that Manchester United had finally started to find their feet under Ruben Amorim’s guidance. However, dropping out of the European spots and once again showing some glaring inconsistencies, the former Sporting Lisbon boss once again finds serious scrutiny on his position at Old Trafford. Eventually falling to a 2-1 loss away at Aston Villa last weekend, the Red Devils have won just a pair of their previous eight Premier League appearances – a run that stems back to a frantic 4-2 victory against Brighton on October 25th. Despite signing off November with a 2-1 win away at Crystal Palace, Amorim is still desperately searching for some kind of defensive steel. Including what was a sensational 4-4 stalemate at home against Bournemouth last week, Manchester United have failed to register a single clean sheet from any of their previous 10 consecutive outings.
Manchester United Team News
In what is set to be a huge blow for Amorim’s side, skipper Bruno Fernandes faces a stint on the sidelines after picking up a knock during last weekend’s 2-1 loss away at Aston Villa. All set to feature at the 2026 AFCON, Manchester United will be without the trio of Amad Diallo, Noussair Mazraoui and summer recruit Bryan Mbeumo.
Not featuring since returning from November’s international break, England international Harry Maguire is still dealing with a hamstring injury. Serving a one-match suspension away at Villa Park last week, Brazilian ace Casemiro could e handed a full recall.
Newcastle
As for the visitors, suffering a major second-half collapse at home against Chelsea last weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate at St. James’ Park, Newcastle have shown their own glaring inconstancies this season. Despite booking their EFL Cup semi-final ticket last week as they snatched a last-gasp 2-1 victory against Fulham, Eddie Howe’s side have won just a pair of their previous six appearances across all competitions. Still scrapping it out in the bottom-half of the Premier League standings, the former Bournemouth boss has also seen his squad gain a reputation for their glaring issues on the road. Last seen on their travels suffering a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat away at arch-rivals Sunderland, Newcastle have remarkably secured just a single Premier League win away from St. James’ Park since the start of April. However, it should be noted, the Magpies clinched a 2-0 victory when they last travelled to Old Trafford 12 months ago.
Newcastle Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Newcastle will travel to Old Trafford this weekend without the likes of Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman and number one goalkeeper Nick Pope remain on the sidelines. However, opening his Magpies account against Fulham last week, ex-Brentford striker Yoane Wissa should get some more minutes under his belt.
Bagging a pair of first-half strikes against Chelsea last weekend and making a real impact since completing a record-breaking summer switch from Stuttgart, Nick Woltemade will play a leading role in the final third. Settling for a spot on the bench in each of Newcastle’s last three consecutive appearances, Joelinton could be handed start.
Manchester United vs Newcastle Key Factors to Consider
- When Newcastle last travelled to Old Trafford back in December 2024, the Magpies secured a 2-0 victory.
- In fact, Newcastle have won five of their previous six meetings against Man United across all formats.
- However, the Magpies have remarkably clinched just a single Premier League victory away from St. James’ Park since the start of April.
- Manchester United have won just a pair of their previous eight Premier League appearances.
- The Red Devils have failed to register a single clean sheet from any of their previous 10 consecutive outings.
- Newcastle have registered eight goals in their previous three trips to Old Trafford.
Conclusion
While Newcastle might have continued to show a string of glaring issues away from St. James’ Park, the Magpies will certainly be excited by a dominant record against their Boxing Day hosts. Storming their way to a stunning 4-1 victory when they last met Manchester United back on April 13th, they have won five of their previous six battles and they have also found some real success at Old Trafford. Landing a 2-0 win when they last travelled to the red half of Manchester 12 months ago, they have Laos registered at least a pair of goals in all of their previous three trips to Old Trafford.
Verdict: Nick Woltemade over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 3/4
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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