Newcastle and Man United renew their hostilities at St James’ Park in a Premier League showdown. Only two places and three points separate the two in the standings. Manchester sits pretty in third while Newcastle knock on door in fifth.
Team News
Newcastle United
- Miguel Almiron and Emile Krafth will not be available for Sunday’s battle. Meanwhule, Fraser remains exiled as he trains with the Under-21s. However, Joelinton is back from a two-game ban for accumulating 10 yellow cards.
- As is the case with the Premier League, Newcastle must assess a wealth of injury and illness doubts following the international break. Nick Pope (Knock), Sven Botman (Fever), Allan Saint-Maximin (thigh) and Anthony Gordon (ankle) uncertain for the match.
- However, all of Pope, Botman and Saint-Maximin have been put through their paces in training and ought to be available. Regardless, ex-Man United loanee Martin Dubravka will be on standby if number one Pope is not given the green light to play.
Manchester United
- Casemiro will serve the second of his four-game domestic ban for his sending off against Southampton. As such, Sabitzer will need a once-over after sustaining a knock with Australia. This leaves Ten Hag light in midfield as Donny van De Beek (Knee) and Christian Eriksen (ankle) recover from their long-term afflications.
- Sabitzer is thought to have a strong chance of being passed fit. He has been spotter in first-team training recently. However, similar cannot be said for ankle victims Alejandro Garnacho and Tom Heaton.
- Anthony Martial could make his long-awaited comeback from a hip problem although he will certainly start on the bench.
- United continues to sweat over the condition of Marcus Rashford (toe). But he’s supposedly winning his battle to be fit and should occupy the left flank.
Possible Lineup
Newcastle: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock; Saint-Maximin, Isak, Joelinton.
Manchester United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Sabitzer, McTominay; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghourst.
Prediction Analysis
Man United may have put Newcastle to the sword at Wembley with ease, but the absence of Casemiro and a distinct lack of midfield depth should mean that lightning does not strike twice for Howe’s Champions League-chasers.
With the Magpies seldom suffering defeat in front of their own fans nowadays, a closely-fought draw could be on the cards – a result which neither manager will be overly satisfied with.
Our prediction is Newcastle United 1-2 Manchester United