Manchester United will head into the busy festive period aiming to boost their hopes of securing a top four finish in the Premier League this season.
United’s hard fought 1-1 draw against Everton last Sunday left them sixth in the standings, just four points adrift of Chelsea in fourth place.
Four games in 11 days will test United’s resolve, but each of the fixtures offers the Red Devils a genuine chance of picking up three points.
Read on as we take a closer look at United’s upcoming Christmas and New Year schedule.
Watford (A) – December 22
United travel to Watford on Sunday as odds-on favourites in the Betway sports betting market to defeat the league’s bottom team.
The Hornets have won just once in 17 league outings this season and look certainties to be relegated to the Championship.
United did the double over Watford last season, winning 2-1 on the road during September 2018 and by the same scoreline at Old Trafford later in the campaign.
United have looked much-improved under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in recent weeks and with their injury list easing they are strongly fancied to pick up three points at Vicarage Road.
Newcastle United (H) – December 26
The Red Devils host Newcastle United on Boxing Day hoping to maintain their excellent home record against the Magpies.
Newcastle have won just once at Old Trafford in all competitions since 1972 and they are unlikely to improve that record in their latest meeting.
Steve Bruce’s side had been enjoying a reasonable run of form, but a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Burnley halted their momentum.
Newcastle are one of the lowest scoring teams in the Premier League and odds of 7/20 at Betway for United to win this game look a fair reflection of their chances.
Burnley (A) – December 28
United triumphed 2-0 at Turf Moor last season and a similar outcome should be on the cards this time around.
The Clarets are currently managing to keep a respectable distance between themselves and the relegation zone, but they have struggled against the top clubs this term.
Sean Dyche’s team were hammered by both Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur during December and they may struggle to keep United at bay.
Burnley have looked extremely lightweight defensively at times this season and United are fully expected to record another victory here.
Arsenal (A) – January 1
Historically the Betway odds would have had this down as United’s toughest assignment over the festive period, but Arsenal are not the force they once were.
While they have forward players who can certainly cause United a few problems, the rest of their team lacks much in the way of quality.
The Gunners’ limitations were ruthlessly exposed as they were dismantled by Man City in the middle of December and this is undoubtedly another winnable game for United.
A 12-point haul for United from their next four matches is not beyond the realms of possibility and would enhance their chances of securing a top four finish this season.
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