Newcastle United vs Manchester United - Premier League Preview and Odds

Published on: 02/01/2019

Newcastle United vs Manchester United - Premier League Preview and Odds

January 02, 2019 20:00pm - St. James Park

Premier League

With only three points separating them from the drop zone, a home win would provide a welcome New Year tonic for Rafa Benitez`s men. Standing in their way is a Manchester United side enjoying a new lease of life under caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.

The Magpies have managed to keep their heads above water for the last couple of months having lost just three of their last 11 matches. A run also consisting of four wins and four draws. Last time out, they bounced back from a 4-0 drubbing at Anfield to earn a 1-1 draw away to Watford.

Despite the heavy defeat at Anfield, Newcastle`s goal difference is still significantly better than the five teams below them in the table. This could be crucial to their survival hopes later in the season. Benitez will hope that it doesn`t come to that as he looks to steer his team clear of the drop zone in the second half of the season.

Opponents Manchester United arrive in the northeast in buoyant mood after three-straight wins in which they scored 12 goals and conceded three. Whether they can keep the momentum going following the appointment of Solksjaer as interim manager remains to be seen, but the early signs are promising.

The Red Devils seem to be enjoying their football with players such as Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford expressing themselves in a way that seemed impossible under Jose Mourinho. The 5-1 win at Cardiff was Uniteds first away win in four matches and just their fourth on the road all season.

Following their recent upturn in form, hopes of a top-four finish have also been revived, but they still have an eight-point gap to Chelsea to overcome and Arsenal are also in the equation.

Recent Form (League)

Newcastle United: DLDWL

Manchester United: WWWLW

Betting odds and tips

Newcastle edged this fixture by a single goal last year as Benitez produced a tactical defensive masterclass to frustrate Mourinho. The Spaniard is sure to take a similar approach and it will be interesting to see how his Norwegian opposite number responds.

After Manchester United`s bright start, they might find things a little tougher on Tyneside on Wednesday night. If Newcastle get their game plan right, they could come away with a draw.

You can the Draw at a best price of 16/5.

By Neil Morris