Manchester United FC
Newcastle United
Newcastle United
Manchester United seeking better form near the top of the table face lowly Newcastle facing survival battle
Manchester United to win 3-0
Despite remaining in 2nd place over the past five weeks, Manchester United will be disappointed that not only have they failed to close the gap on Manchester City (it’s in fact increased), they’ve also seen their lead over 3rd place Leicester disappear.
With just a single win from their past five league games, they’ve missed big opportunities to stay neck and neck with their close rivals at the top.
As it currently stands, 10 points appears too much to make up with only 14 games remaining, a fact which will disappoint manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Newcastle are one of the worst teams in the division currently, with their form seeing them slump to 17th in the table and only six points ahead of the relegation spots.
With key striker Callum Wilson out for the next six weeks or so, the Magpies will have to find alternative ways to goal and will find it difficult to dislodge this Manchester United side.
Form Guide (all comps): WDWDW
Reasons to be cheerful:
Cup wins have provided optimism for United’s season despite league form
They have won four of their last five meetings with Newcastle
Reasons to be fearful:
Played in midweek so tiredness could be problem
Have struggle to win consistently at home this season
United’s comfortable 4-0 victory in their Europa League game in midweek will bring back an element of confidence to this side, with Solskjaer’s men finding it tough to eek out wins in the league recently.
That defeat against Sheffield United at the end of January appears to have knocked their spirits, with just one win coming from their next five, including three disappointing results against teams who they expect to beat.
Here, they may be without regular starters Edinson Cavani and Scott McTominay who are struggling with minor injuries, while Paul Pogba remains out until next month.
Their record against Newcastle is excellent, however, with just one defeat coming at Old Trafford from their last 37 meetings.
They must surely win here to retain any hope of catching City.
Star Man – Bruno Fernandes
Fought back from a five match goal drought by scoring in his last three league games. He now has 21 goals for the season.
Form Guide (all comps): LWLWL
Reasons to be cheerful:
Two wins from their last five has helped keep them above the bottom three
Gave Chelsea a good game last weekend despite losing 2-0
Reasons to be fearful:
Have now lost seven of their last nine games
Without Callum Wilson, they have lost all three games this season
Of all the sides most likely to replace one of those currently in the bottom three, Newcastle are currently treading very dangerously with just a six point gap separating them.
While two wins from their last five is not disastrous, their longer term form has seen them slide closer to the danger zone, with Fulham in particular the side closing in. If the Cottagers win their game and Newcastle lose theirs, the gap will be just three.
The Magpies will need to find a way to goal without the injured Callum Wilson, who have 10 goals and five assists for them this season. Almiron has slotted in nicely recently, but he needs greater support from his teammates.
Star Man – Miguel Almiron
Has five goals for the season, including two in the win over Southampton recently. He may not get too many chances against United, though.
United are favourites to win their second game in last six
Newcastle have good players, but are blunted without Wilson
Bruno Fernandes to score or assist
Not only do Manchester United need to win to stand any chance of catching City, they must also secure three points to stay ahead of a forceful Leicester right now.
United could be down to 3rd if Leicester win their earlier kick off, so that will be United’s incentive here.
The difference between these two sides is that United can afford to be without Pogba, Cavani and McTominay, however Newcastle without Wilson is a different proposition completely.
Manchester United to win 3-0
