Newcastle ended a run of three games without a win when beating Aston Villa 1-0 at St James’ Park on Saturday. It was an important win coming off the back of a 5-0 thrashing away to Manchester City the week before. It was also only their second clean sheet in their last 15 league games, and the first time they shutout a visiting side since the end of November. It is a win which leaves them just outside the top half of the table which is likely to be their main aim for this season. Of course, they are still in the care of what is essentially a caretaker manager in John Carver following Alan Pardew’s dismissal, which is never an ideal scenario for any club.
It was another important win for a Manchester United at the weekend but once again they struggled to find the form that many think they should be producing. A second half double from Wayne Rooney seen them retain their position in the top four and hold that final, all important Champions League spot. The chasing pack of Liverpool, Southampton and Tottenham are all ready to take advantage of any slips from the sides above them but United themselves are only four points off second placed Manchester City and it would seem a realistic ambition to strive to catch them.
A real problem for Newcastle this season, as I have alluded to earlier, has been their inability to keep clean sheets. That issue is even more significant due to the lack of goals they have managed. Their goal difference of -10 is the worst of any side in the top 14 and it’s something they will need to address, whoever the man in charge is next season. In spite of that, they have enjoyed a good record at home this season winning six and losing only three of their 13 matches played at St James’ Park.
When you look through the names in the United squad it’s not hard to see why their supporters and the media expect them to be playing a more attractive brand of football. Their workmanlike performances are doing enough to keep them in control of that vital top four sport but with hugely important games to come against five of the top seven, you feel they have to improve to ensure they finish there come the end of the season. Their away form has also suffered of late and they come into this game having managed just one win in their last six Premier League away games.
These two have quite a history in the Premier League dating back to the days when Newcastle were United’s closest challengers during the mid-90’s. Things have clearly changed for the Magpies since then but the fans still see this as big game and will be hoping they can build on Saturday’s win. The bet I like here is both teams to score. Seven of Newcastle’s 13 home games have seen this occur, including four of their last five whilst both teams have found the back of the net in eight of United’s 13 games on the road in the league.
Both teams to score 10/11 @ Betfred
