Rafa Benitez's Newcastle United will host his long-term foes Manchester United on Wednesday in a game that should be interesting for both supporters and neutrals around the world. Newcastle will be looking to change their recent fortunes while Manchester United attempt to keep their current positive run of form going into the new year.
Current Form
Newcastle
Newcastle seemed to have found some semblance of decent form until recently, but they are now once again treading water above the relegation places by a mere 3 points. Over the past 5 games, Newcastle have won just 1, losing 2, and drawing 2.
The statistics paint a very clear picture as to why Newcastle have been struggling this season. Over the first 20 games of the campaign, they have scored just 15 times, an average of 0.75 goals per game. Defensively, they've not been terrible but have still conceded 27 times, an average of 1.35 goals per game. As the team has been unable to produce much in the attacking department, these goals are costing them a lot of points.
Manchester United
Manchester United have been playing relatively well since Solskjær took over following Mourinho's departure. They now find themselves sat in 6th position in the Premier League table on 35 points, just 3 points behind 5th placed Arsenal and 8 points behind 4th placed Chelsea. Over the previous 5 fixtures, Manchester United have won 4 and lost 1.
The last few weeks have really helped to improve Manchester United's statistics this season. They've now scored 41 goals, an average of 1.95 goals per game. Defensively, they've not been great, however, and have conceded 32 times, an average of 1.52 goals per game.
Head to Head
Over the previous 10 meetings between the clubs, Newcastle have won 2, Manchester United have won 6, and there have been 2 draws. Notably, in the 19 games between 2002 and 2011, Manchester United won 14 and there were just 5 draws. Historically, Newcastle do not have a good time in this fixture.
Analysis
Newcastle
The phrase 'sleeping giant' comes to mind when you think about Newcastle, a club that has earned a great deal of respect over the years. However, with the current owner at the helm, this giant is flatlining with no chance of recovery. There simply hasn't been enough money injected into the team to allow managers of the club to make any real progress. Newcastle are incredibly lucky to have a top class manager like Benitez in charge who can work wonders at times because they would undoubtedly be destined for complete and utter failure with most other managers.
Home advantage is about all that Newcastle have going for them in this fixture. The team has looked dreadful of late and it wouldn't be surprising to see them relegated at the end of the season. Rafa Benitez will need to pull off a tactical masterclass to get anything out of this game because Manchester United are looking a lot better since their change of manager. Rondon is perhaps Newcastle's biggest threat here, however, and he will no doubt have opportunities against this lacklustre Manchester United defence. Whether he will take those opportunities or not will likely be the difference between an enjoyable or difficult evening.
Manchester United
Much has been made of Solskjær's brief stint as Manchester United manager so far but caution is perhaps warranted. Changes of personnel often lead to an acute positive reaction at football clubs as players look to impress the new boss and feel somewhat free of the difficult time they'd experienced beforehand. However, these players have been letting down numerous managers now and it will be interesting to see what happens when they come up against a real test of quality, something they haven't had to do since Solskjær's arrival.
Manchester United have, no doubt, looked much better in possession over the last 3 games. They're finally looking to attack opposing teams rather than sit back and defend and, regardless of whether they're good enough to compete with the best, these players are definitely good enough to beat the lower teams in the Premier League. Defensively, Manchester United still look very weak and will need to be careful that they don't over commit to attacking phases if they want to start maintaining clean sheets. Tactically, Manchester United won't need to make things too complicated against a very poor Newcastle team and should simply look to maintain possession and play the ball forward to their attacking players as quickly as possible.
Predictions
Newcastle are simply too poor at the moment to provide any confidence that they can get the job done. The only thing making me feel that there is a slight chance is the fact that this resurgent Manchester United team haven't been tested whatsoever and therefore cannot be fully judged at this moment in time. Nonetheless, I think Benitez will be left feeling defeated once more at the end of the game.
Prediction: Manchester United win
Score Prediction: Newcastle 1 - 3 Manchester United
Betting Picks
Over 3.5 goals at 2.76 or above
With a newly attacking Manchester United side and a couple of leaky defences, I can see this being a high scoring game if there is an early goal. I'll be jumping on over 3.5 goals at the above odds or greater. You could also opt for over 2.5 goals at odds of 1.7 or above if you're a little more conservative.
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