Some interesting comments from this BBC Sport pundit on Newcastle United.
Chris Sutton speaking ahead of tonight’s match.
Newcastle United facing Manchester United at Old Trafford.
An 8pm kick-off on Boxing Day night, making it as awkward as possible for Newcastle United fans to get back to Tyneside after the match.
The Newcastle United players knowing that if they win by two goals or more, they will go above Manchester United, who are currently seventh top.
Newcastle United have a load of injuries in defence.
However, Manchester United have arguably far bigger issues when it comes to midfield and attack.
Bruno Fernandes is out injured, he may be annoying and an embarrassing cheat, fact remains though that he is their captain and best player.
As the BBC Sport pundit points out as well, 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 mind, Newcastle United have the better squad anyway.”
Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumbo are amongst those away at the AFCON and when you factor in Bruno Fernandes, that is for me three of their four best attacking players missing, Cunha the only one of that quartet set to 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 are going to cope without him.”
The BBC Sport pundit declares: “I am 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 it.”
Sutton predicting a 1-0 away win.
That would do for me BUT the fact is that in their last seven matches, home and away in all competitions, Newcastle United have scored 14 goals and scored at least two in six of the seven, the exception being the derby match which appeared destined for a goalless draw, with neither side having a shot on target from one of their own players all match.
I would be amazed if there is only one goal tonight and in the last six games these two teams have met, there have been 18 goals. Newcastle United winning five of the six matches (home and away), scoring 14 goals in the half dozen matches, Man U scoring three goals in the one of the six they won, but only one goal in the five they lost.
Manchester United haven’t won at home for over two months now and their last three at Old Trafford saw them lose to Everton (who played all but the opening minutes with a man down), then draws with West Ham and Bournemouth.
All to play for tonight when it comes to Eddie Howe and his players.
