Newcastle-Manchester United is a match valid for the twenty-ninth day of the Premier League and is played on Sunday at 17:30: TV, predictions
It has been more than a month since these two teams last met in a one-off at Wembley on 26 February, when they contested the League Cup.
A match that ended in a fairly straightforward success for Manchester United, who returned to winning a title after six years of abstinence. The Red Devils sealed the deal in the first half with goals from Casemiro and Rashford, then wasted several set-pieces in the second half to make the result even more rounded. There was no drama for Newcastle, who are likely to have other opportunities to lift some cups in the future, given the ambitions of the very rich ownership. The Magpies, however, could ‘take revenge’ in the league, where they are fighting for a Champions League place. And ahead of them, with only three points more, there is Erik ten Hag’s team, who have been out of the title race for some time now – Arsenal and Manchester City appear unreachable – but called upon to defend third place. The Bianconeri actually have to make a run at Tottenham, who are two points ahead but have played two matches more than them. Not forgetting that they could soon be joined by Liverpool, back in the game thanks to a string of successes.
Ten Hag with the doubtful Rashford
Eddie Howe’s men, meanwhile, should have managed to put their first moment of crisis, if we can call it that. They only picked up two points in February, the result of two draws against West Ham and Bournemouth.
Rashford and ten Hag
Before the break Newcastle had strung together two consecutive wins, taking advantage of the favourable calendar: 2-1 at Wolverhampton and 1-2 at Nottingham Forest. It is clear that, compared to the first part of the season, there has been some weakness in defence, which has not been inviolate since last January. In front of their own public, however, the Bianconeri lost only one game, surrendering to Liverpool. The break, on the other hand, came at an opportune moment for Manchester United, still busy on three fronts. The Red Devils did not have a moment to catch their breath and after qualifying for the Europa League quarter-finals against Betis, they conquered the FA Cup semi-final by overwhelming Fulham 3-1 at Old Trafford. The match in which United’s most in-form man, Rashford, was injured: the striker missed the commitments with the national team but should be back at the disposal of the Dutch coach against Newcastle. Finally, many doubts for Howe, who might have to renounce Pope, Botman, Saint-Maximin and Gordon.
The prediction
Without Casemiro, who will serve the last of his four-day disqualification, Manchester United will struggle to come home with the full stake from this away match. Newcastle have only lost one game at home so far and will most likely avoid defeat in their clash with the Red Devils.
The Newcastle-Manchester United line-up probables
- NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Willock; Saint-Maximin, Isak, Joelinton.
- MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Shaw; Sabitzer, McTominay; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
