The Matchday 18 Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Newcastle will take place on 26 December at Old Trafford. Manchester United – Newcastle: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Manchester United
The Red Devils lost 1-2 away to Aston Villa in the last round. The defeat ended the club's four-match unbeaten run in the league, during which they recorded two away wins and two home draws. In their previous 11 Premier League matches the team has been unbeaten on nine occasions (five wins and four draws). Manchester United have slipped to seventh in the table but are only three points off the top four. It is also worth noting that only Manchester City (41 goals) have scored more than Manchester United (31) in the current Premier League season.
- Both teams scored in five of the club's last Premier League matches.
- At least three goals were scored in 8 of Manchester United's last 10 league games.
- The Red Devils have failed to win in three consecutive home Premier League matches (2 draws and 1 defeat).
Projected starting XI Manchester United (3-5-1)*
Senne Lammens – Aiden Heven, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw – Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Manuel Ugarte, Patrick Dorgu, Mason Mount – Benjamin Sesko.
Defenders Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, and midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, are sidelined with injuries. Captain Bruno Fernandes will be out for around a month through injury. Nussair Mazraoui, Brian Mbemo and Amad Diallo have departed for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Newcastle
Eddie Howe's side are also without a win in two consecutive Premier League matches. After an away defeat to Sunderland (0-1) they followed up with a 2-2 home draw against Chelsea. In the game with the Londoners they had led by two goals but imploded in the second half to concede twice. The loss to Sunderland is the only defeat in their last six league matches (three wins and two draws). The club sit just 11th in the table and are three points behind Manchester United.
- Three or more goals were scored in 9 of the team's last 10 league matches.
- Both teams scored in 9 of Newcastle's last 10 Premier League games.
- On the road the club have failed to win in 10 of their last 11 Premier League away matches (4 draws and 6 defeats).
Projected starting XI Newcastle (4-3-3)*
Aaron Ramsdale – Lewis Miley, Fabian Schär, Lewis Hall, Valentino Livramento – Bruno Guimarães, Jacob Ramsey, Sandro Tonali – Nik Woltemade, Anthony Gordon, Jacob Murphy.
Striker William Osula, defenders Jamal Lascelles, Dan Burn, Valentino Livramento, Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman and Emil Krafth, and goalkeeper Nick Pope will miss the match through injury.
Referee
Anthony Taylor (England)
Matches – 13 (Premier League, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 47;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.6;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 15%.
Match Prediction Manchester United – Newcastle
I give the hosts a slight edge for this encounter. Despite the injury to their captain and the departure of three first-team players to the Africa Cup of Nations, Newcastle's absences are much more significant: six defensive players are sidelined, which is likely to influence the final score. Manchester United currently possess one of the Premier League's most potent attacking lines and should capitalise on Eddie Howe's defensive problems.
Furthermore, in their last seven Premier League home matches United have suffered just one defeat, registering four wins and two draws, and during that run the side scored at least two goals on five occasions. Newcastle's away form is poor — they have earned only seven points from their last 11 Premier League away games, and in that sequence they have scored more than once only once. It is also worth noting United have won seven of the last ten league meetings at Old Trafford (two draws and one defeat).
My prediction – Manchester United (Asian Handicap 0)
* For each team the starting XI shown is the side's lineup from their previous match in this competition.
