Premier League: Newcastle vs Man United live
Preview
Top-four rivals Newcastle United and Manchester United renew rivalries at St James’ Park on Sunday at 3:30 pm (GMT) in a rematch of the EFL Cup final from February. The two behemoths are currently separated in the standings by only two positions and three points, with the Red Devils sitting pretty in third and the Magpies knocking on the door in fifth.
Although title talk was a little unfounded, Newcastle’s Champions League fate is in their own hands going into the final stretch, thanks mainly to Tottenham Hotspur’s awful run as well as their turn in fortunes just before the international break. Eddie Howe’s team had no wins from five games between February and the beginning of March, but a pair of 2-1 triumphs over Wolves and Nottingham Forest reignited their glimmer of hope.
Newcastle have gone from a team that kept clean sheets for sport to one that has conceded in their last eight matches in all competitions. They are no longer the defensive force they were earlier in the season, and only two of their previous five Premier League home games have ended in a win. Only Liverpool have beaten Howe’s men at home this season, and even then, the 10 men of Newcastle gave the Reds a run for their money, so Man United must keep their wits about them as they face a Magpies side driven by revenge.
Man United’s top-flight ambitions may have taken a back seat just before the international break, as Erik ten Hag’s team won the Europa League and FA Cup against Real Betis and Fulham, respectively. Dreams of a quadruple are surely out of reach for Manchester United, who played just twice in the Premier League in March, including a 7-0 thrashing by Liverpool and a goalless draw with Southampton, leaving them comfortably in third place and one point ahead of Tottenham, who have played two more games. Man United need a really good performance to leave St. James’ park with any result because their hosts will be coming in for all three points on Sunday.
Head-to-head
Just over a month ago, these two clubs met in the League Cup final, with Manchester United coming out on top 2-0. There were no goals in their first match-up earlier this season in the Premier League, which took place at Old Trafford in October of last year.
Prediction
Man United may have easily defeated Newcastle at Wembley, but the absence of Casemiro and a clear lack of midfield depth should ensure that Howe’s Champions League aspirants don’t see defeat at the hands of the Red Devils again. With the Magpies rarely losing in front of their supporters these days, a hard-fought draw could be on the cards, a result that neither manager will be overjoyed with.
