Kick-off: 1630, 02/04/2023
Stadium: St James’ Park
TV: Sky Sports
Newcastle can blow the battle for top-four places in the Premier League wide open with a home win over Manchester United.
The Red Devils are currently in pole position to finish best of the rest behind Arsenal and neighbours City but their away record is worrying.
When visiting teams in the top eight, Erik ten Hag’s side have suffered four straight defeats this season!
That makes 29/20 for the Magpies to prevail hard to resist as our initial Newcastle vs Man Utd prediction.
Isak hitting peak form
Newcastle have the extra incentive of avenging a tame 2-0 defeat by the Red Devils in the EFL Cup final at Wembley.
That came during a five-match winless run for the Magpies, which also included losses to Liverpool and City.
However, Eddie Howe’s men got back on track when securing 2-1 victories over both Wolves and Nottingham Forest before the international break.
Alexander Isak starred with three goals in those games, grabbing a stoppage-time decider from the penalty spot at the City Ground.
“Confidence is key for any attacking player and the penalty was ice cool,” said Howe. “It was a huge moment for us in our season.
“It’s not easy to do that, especially with the delay, but he put it away really well.”
Four of the Magpies’ nine home wins have been by a one-goal margin and 31/10 for another here appeals from the Newcastle vs Man Utd odds.
Last Newcastle line-up: Pope, Trippier, Botman, Schar, Burn, Willock, Longstaff, Guimaraes, Saint-Maximin, Isak, Murphy.
Red Devils weary from cup runs
Manchester United have already secured one piece of silverware this season and appear hungry for more.
They are in the Europa League quarter-finals after beating Real Betis in both legs and booked a place in the FA Cup semis by seeing off Fulham at Old Trafford.
However, a hectic schedule is threatening to derail what had looked set to be a smooth route to a top-four finish.
The Red Devils suffered an embarrassing 7-0 thrashing at Liverpool and were held to a goalless stalemate on home turf by basement dwellers Southampton in their last two league matches.
To make matters worse, influential midfielder Casemiro picked up a four-match domestic ban for being sent off against Saints.
Marcus Rashford was forced to sit out England’s Euro 2024 qualifiers due to a slight injury concern.
Christian Eriksen and Anthony Martial are reportedly on the way back but this game may come too soon.
The Red Devils are unlikely to feel refreshed by the international break, with so many players jetting off around the world.
We’re sticking with 33/4 for a 2-1 home win to finish off our Newcastle vs Man Utd betting tips.
Last Man Utd line-up: De Gea, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Wan-Bissaka, Fernandes, Rashford, Sabitzer, Sancho, McTominay, Weghorst.
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