Newcastle vs Man Utd: More misery awaits the Magpies
Things haven’t exactly gone to plan for either of these two teams over the festive period.
Manchester United’s 3-2 defeat against Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford on New Year’s Eve was meant to be a stroll for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, while Newcastle United surrendered 3-1 against Liverpool the day before that.
While both teams come into this game on the back of disappointing results, it’s the red United who are best equipped to bounce back…
Match odds
While last season Man Utd managed just five wins on the road, this term their away form has been the reason they have been able to keep pace with bitter rivals Manchester City at the top of the table.
They have the best away record in the division, winning seven and drawing two of their nine on the road.
Man Utd are currently 4/6 to get a win and look very tempting at that price – especially considering the Magpies haven’t beaten Fergie’s men at home since 2001.
However, if you fancy another bad day for Man Utd then Newcastle can be backed at 4/1 to get the win and at 11/4 to pick up a point – as they did at Old Trafford earlier this season.
Goal markets
Only one of the previous 14 encounters between these sides has ended goalless and Man Utd have scored in every away league game they’ve played this season.
With Newcastle shipping three goals in two of their previous three home games, backing Man Utd to score over 1.5 goals at 8/11 is a punt well worth looking into.
Wayne Rooney looks likely to return to the Man Utd starting line up after being dropped for the Blackburn defeat and is favourite to score first at 7/2.
Finally, Demba Ba scored twice in his last appearance at the Sports Direct Arena and is currently 6/1 to open the scoring and add to his 14 goals already this season.