Prediction: Manchester United vs Newcastle

Verdict: Newcastle draw no bet 

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Looking to officially book a European finish on Wednesday night, Newcastle will travel to Old Trafford when they meet Manchester United.

Manchester United

Starting with the hosts, falling to a 1-0 loss at home against historic rivals Arsenal over the weekend, Manchester United find themselves at the centre of a public Premier League crisis. Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny last week as they were hit with an infamous 4-0 drumming away at Crystal Palace, the pressure on Erik ten Hag’s shoulders is now at a boiling point. With it appearing almost certain that the former Ajax boss will be heading for the Old Trafford exit this summer, this could be his final matchup in the dugout. In fact, the Reds have remarkably recorded just a single win from any of their previous eight Premier League appearances – a rut that stems all the way back to March 9th. Drawing back-to-back blanks for a first time since opening the New Year, United could be set for another hostile showdown on Wednesday night.

Team News

Dealing with a stacked injury list at Old Trafford, Manchester United will once again be unable to call upon the likes of Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane and Tyrell Malacia on Wednesday night. However, ten Hag’s side are optimistic that both Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes will be able to make a timely return here.

Despite coming under plenty of recent scrutiny, former Real Madrid star Casemiro should once again partner Johnny Evans at the back. While Rasmus Hojlund might have notched just a single strike since the middle of February, the Danish international will spearhead United’s charge.

Newcastle

As for the visitors, although Newcastle might have opened the New Year facing a real uphill battle in the race to claim another European finish, Eddie Howe’s side have come roaring back in an eye-catching fashion. While the Magpies might have been frustrated over the weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate at home against Brighton, the former Bournemouth boss finds his squad sat in the driving seat to claim a top-six finish. Opening May with a thumping 4-1 romp away at Burnley, Wednesday’s guests have lost just one of their previous eight Premier League appearances. Looking to claim a season-defining victory here, Newcastle will also be excited by a stellar record against United. Including a 1-0 win when they welcomed the Reds to St. James’ Park on December 2nd, Howe’s men have won all of their last three meetings by an aggregate score of 6-0.

Team News

Undergoing knee surgery back in March, Newcastle have already confirmed that Dutch international Sven Botman will not feature again until next season. Likewise, Howe’s side will also be unable to call upon the likes of Lewis Miley, Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar and ex-Arsenal starlet Joe Willock on Wednesday night.

Continuing on what has been a real Premier League romp this season and notching 20 top-flight goals, attacking talisman Alexander Isak will play a leading role here. Despite returning to Howe’s squad earlier in the month, England international Nick Pope will once again settle for a spot on the bench.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Manchester United and Newcastle met for their reverse Premier League meeting on December 2nd, the Magpies collected a 1-0 win at St. James’ Park.
• Likewise, Newcastle have won all of their last three meetings against Wednesday’s hosts by an aggregate score of 6-0.
• Manchester United have collected just a single victory from any of their previous eight Premier League appearances.
• Newcastle have lost just one of their last eight Premier League showdowns.
• Five of the last six meetings between Manchester United and Newcastle have finished with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Suffering just a single defeat from any of their last eight Premier League appearances, Newcastle will be looking to punch their European ticket with a major statement of intent here. With United continuing to show a string of glaring issues this season, the Magpies will certainly be excited by a dominant recent record. Including a 1-0 victory when they welcomed Wednesday’s hosts to St. James’ Park on December 2nd, they have now won all of their last three battles across all competitions by an aggregate score of 6-0.

Verdict: Newcastle draw no bet

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet