*Match preview and betting tips provided by SVB Tips
Newcastle: 11 Wins in the Last 15 Matches
Newcastle are among the Premier League’s hottest teams right now. Fresh off their League Cup triumph against Liverpool (2-1), Eddie Howe’s men have already secured a spot in European competition next season—but they’re not stopping there.
Currently 7th in the table, level on points with 6th-placed Chelsea and with a game in hand and with two games in hand on Manchester City and Aston Villa, who both won on Saturday. A six-point haul from this game and Wednesday's home clash against Crystal Palace would even take them above Nottingham Forest and just four points behind second-placed Arsenal.
They’ve won their last four matches across all competitions and boast 11 wins in their last 15 league games—a record matched only by Liverpool in that span. At home, Newcastle have picked up 8 wins, 2 draws, and 4 losses, including back-to-back victories over Nottingham Forest (4-3) and Brentford (2-1).
Star striker Alexander Isak has maintained his sensational form, sitting third in the league’s scoring charts with 20 goals. Meanwhile, Jacob Murphy is contributing heavily too—he scored a brace last round and now has 19 goal involvements this season (8 goals, 11 assists).
Manchester United: Focused on Europe
While Newcastle are surging in the league, Manchester United have had a season to forget domestically, slipping to 13th place after 31 rounds. Their best shot at a Champions League return may lie in winning the Europa League, where they recently drew 2-2 away to Lyon in the quarter-final first leg. The second leg at Old Trafford is set for Thursday, and that may take priority over Sunday’s fixture.
With rotation likely, manager Rúben Amorim could rest key players ahead of the European clash. United are also struggling for goals—they've failed to score in their last two league matches (0-1 vs Nottingham Forest, 0-0 vs Man City), bringing their season tally to 12 goalless games.
Head-to-Head: Newcastle on the Rise
- Newcastle beat United 2-0 at Old Trafford earlier this season, and will be looking to do the league double over the Red Devils for the first time since 1930/31.
- United have lost their last two trips to St. James’ Park, and a third defeat would be their longest losing streak on this ground since 1970.
- Newcastle have won four of the last five meetings across all competitions—as many wins as they managed in the previous 41 matchups combined.
Predicted Lineups
Newcastle United:
Pope; Trippier, Schär, Burn, Livramento; Guimarães, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Barnes, Isak
Manchester United:
Onana; Mazraoui, Lindelöf, Yoro; Dalot, Fernandes, Ugarte, Dorgu; Garnacho, Mount; Zirkzee
Best Betting Tips:
- Newcastle to Win – Strong home form, United’s poor league performances, and likely squad rotation point toward a Magpies victory.
- Under 2.5 Goals – United’s scoring woes and a possibly cautious approach ahead of the Lyon match could keep the scoreline low.
- Alexander Isak to Score Anytime – 20 goals this season, in form, and Newcastle’s main attacking threat.
- Jacob Murphy – Assist or Goal – High involvement lately, and often flies under the radar in markets.
- Correct Score: 2-0 Newcastle – Mirrors the first leg, aligns with both sides’ recent patterns.