Two clubs plagued with inconsistency in the Premier League this season meet at Old Trafford on Boxing Day as seventh-placed Manchester United hosts 11th-placed Newcastle United.
Manchester United suffered their fifth defeat of the Premier League season last time out, as they fell to a 2-1 defeat away at high-flying Aston Villa, leaving them three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
That result means Ruben Amorim’s men have won just two of their previous eight Premier League outings (W2-D4-L2), and none of their last three at Old Trafford (W0-D2-L1).
Newcastle looked set to bounce back from their Wear-Tyne derby defeat last time out, but they let a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2 at home to Chelsea.
That result means that Eddie Howe’s men have won just one of their previous four Premier League encounters, leaving them six points outside of the Champions League places.
Away form has proven to be a real Achilles heel for the Magpies this season, as they have won just once on their travels in the Premier League this season, losing four of their last five.
How the bookies view it: Tough one to call
The bookies are finding it hard to separate these two sides, with bet365 having Manchester United as slight favourites at 6/4.
Newcastle United are 8/5 to claim just their second victory away from home in the Premier League this season, whilst the draw is 13/5.
Head to head: Recent advantage for Newcastle
This fixture has proven to be a favourable one for Newcastle in the past couple of years, with Newcastle winning five of their previous eight last six (W5-D0-L1), including a league double last season (0-2 & 4-1).
Players to watch: Cunha to continue his hot streak
Matheus Cunha has endured a slow start to his Manchester United career, with the ex-Wolves man scoring just three goals and providing one assist across his opening 14 Premier League appearances.
However, the Brazilian has provided a goal contribution in each of Manchester United’s last three Premier League outings, and is an appealing 4/5 at bet365 to Score or Assist.
Predicted line-ups:
Manchester United will be without the injured Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes, whilst Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo are away to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Newcastle will be without defenders Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles and Tino Livramento due to injury, whilst William Osula is all out injured.
Manchester United: Lammens, Yoro, Heaven, Shaw, Dalot, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dodgy, Cunha, Mount, Sesko
Newcastle United: Ramsdale, Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall, Tonali, Guimaraes, Ramsey, Murphy, Gordon, Woltemade
Anything else catch the eye?
Given how inconsistent both of these teams have been this season, the sensible play would be to avoid the WDW markets and focus on goals.
Manchester United’s previous 16 Premier League encounters have averaged 3.63 goals per game, with Over 2.5 Goals paying out in 12 (75%) of them, with 13 (81%) producing goals at both ends.
After seeing just six goals scored across their opening five Premier League fixtures this season, Newcastle’s next 12 have averaged 3.33 goals per game, with Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals paying out in 10 (83%) of them, and a repeat pays an appealing 10/11 at Coral/Ladbrokes.
Interested in why both teams scoring is such a strong angle? Check out our Masterclass on BTTS and sharpen your match-reading game.
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