Some interesting comments from this BBC Sport pundit on Newcastle United.
Chris Sutton speaks ahead of tonight’s match.
Newcastle United takes on Manchester United at Old Trafford.
An 8pm kick-off on Boxing Day, making it as difficult as possible for Newcastle United fans to return to Tyneside after the match.
Newcastle United’s players know that if they win by two or more goals, they will be above Manchester United, who are currently seventh.
Newcastle United is struggling with many injuries in defense.
However, Manchester United arguably have much bigger problems when it comes to midfield and attack.
Bruno Fernandes is out injured, he may be annoying and an embarrassing cheat, but the fact remains that he is their captain and best player.
As the BBC Sport expert also notes, the reality is: “Manchester United are three points and four places above them in the table, but they are missing a few players at the Africa Cup of Nations and in my view Newcastle United has the better team anyway.”
Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumbo are among those away from the AFCON and if you include Bruno Fernandes, for me there are three of their top four attacking players missing, while Cunha is the only one of that quartet who will be available.
Chris Sutton believes that: “The key to how this game goes is what they (Man U) do without Bruno Fernandes, and how they will manage without him.”
The BBC Sports pundit declares: “I’m going to back Eddie Howe’s side here. There won’t be many goals though, and they may only need to score one to win.”
Sutton predicts a 1-0 away win.
That would be enough for me, BUT the fact is that in their last seven games, home and away in all competitions, Newcastle United have scored fourteen goals and scored at least two in six of the seven, with the exception of the derby match which seemed destined for a goalless draw, with neither side conceding a shot on target from any of their own players all game.
I would be surprised if there is only one goal tonight and in the last six games these two teams have met there have been eighteen goals. Newcastle United won five of the six games (home and away), scoring 14 goals in the six games, Man U scored three goals in the of the six they won, but only one goal in the five they lost.
Manchester United have not won at home for over two months now and in their last three games at Old Trafford they have lost to Everton (who played all but the opening minutes a man down), before drawing against West Ham and Bournemouth.
Everything to play tonight when it comes to Eddie Howe and his players.
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