The respective Uniteds of Manchester and Newcastle clash in a Saturday evening fixture that has been as attractive, over the years, on the pitch as it appears on paper – and this weekends latest instalment promises to be another entertaining affair.
Here, we look at though why it seems certain that the Red Devils will coast to a comfortable win over their North East counterparts :
HISTORY
Absolutely stacked against the Magpies – especially at Old Trafford. In the last 32 games at the Theatre of Dreams between then two, Newcastle have only won once – with Manchester United rucking up 22 wins and drawing just 9 games. It is very safe to say that Old Trafford is not a place the Magpies find stealing points from easy to do or with any kind of regularity.
CURRENT FORM
Overall, the Red Devils are only slightly better off than Newcastle in terms of points gained from their last five league matches – gaining 7 to the Magpies 5. But, again, we have to give due credence to the fact that Manchester United are at home, and on the home/away form table, they rule – winning five of their last five, scoring 15 goals and conceding none. Indeed at Old Trafford they are now unbeaten in 22 Premier League games. Newcastle away though have only taken 4 points from their last 5 away games and only scored three goals in the process.
ROMELU LUKAKU
Some players just love facing certain clubs – and one of Lukaku’s most productive returns has been against the St James’ Park men, being directly involved in 9 goals in 8 Premier League games against Newcastle – collecting 5 goals and 4 assists. Manchester United will be hoping their main man in attack will recapture that form on Saturday ending his rather recent dry spell.
JOSE HAS THE EDGE ON RAFA
Of the 16 Premier League clashes that Mourinho has had with Benitez over the years, he has come out on top 7 times, with Rafa prevailing over his Portuguese counterpart five times. They have shared the points on just 4 occasions.
THE BOOKIES
We all know the bookies are rarely wrong and they are strong favourites with them across the board. You wont get rich backing Manchester United to beat Newcastle on Saturday. Most bookies go just 1/4 on the home win, with 11/2 available on Newcastle being able to hold United to a draw. The away win stands at 11/1, meaning if you wager a tenner, at those odds, on Newcastle doing on what no other club has done to United at Old Trafford in over a year, you will lose, almost certainly in our opinion, £10.
Prediction : Manchester United 3 – 0 Newcastle United
Best Bet : Manchester United to win and over 2.5 goals in the game 10/11 (SkyBet)