With Steve Bruce’s Magpies looking fairly solid at the back, Al Hain-Cole is backing them to make life difficult for Solskjaer’s men at Old Trafford
Manchester United will be determined to bounce back from defeat when they welcome Newcastle United to Old Trafford on Boxing Day.
The Red Devils went down 2-0 at rock bottom Watford last time out, bringing an end to their seven-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.
Manchester United vs Newcastle Latest Odds
Having lost just one of their last 34 top flight home meetings with this opposition, they are 7/20 (1.35) favourites with 888Sport to return to form with a victory here.
However, Steve Bruce’s men are enjoying a strong run of results with five wins from their previous eight matches, and can be backed at 15/2 (8.50) to pull off a shock victory over his former side.
Just two of the last 15 encounters between this pair have resulted in draws, but you can get odds of 17/4 (5.25) on this one finishing up all square.
Manchester United vs Newcastle Team News
Paul Pogba is likely to start after making his comeback from injury as a substitute at Vicarage Road, although Marcos Rojo, Diogo Dalot, and Eric Bailly remain unavailable.
Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Matt Ritchie, and Alain Saint-Maximin are all ruled out for the guests, while Paul Dummett and Jetro Willems will face late fitness tests.
Manchester United vs Newcastle Preview
Having started the season amid much doom and gloom following Rafa Benitez‘s departure, the Magpies are defying their tag of relegation candidates to come into this game level on points with their opponents.
This is largely due to the same defensive resolve that served them so well last campaign, having conceded fewer goals than the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham so far this season.
They will certainly back themselves to frustrate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team, who have not scored a first-half goal in four fixtures and will not be in good spirits after failing to score at rock-bottom Watford.
Manchester United vs Newcastle Tips and Predictions
Considering only five of Newcastle’s last six goals have arrived before the break, odds of 59/50 (2.18) seem generous on the deadlock not being broken within the opening half-hour for their fourth consecutive game – as well as a fifth in a row for Manchester United.
No goal before 29:59 at 59/50 (2.18) for a 1pt stake with 888Sport