Following our midweek Champions League adventures that saw United beating CFR Cluj over in Romania, Premier League action returns this weekend with United facing a tricky away fixture at the Sports Direct Arena, against Newcastle United.
Its only 11 days since the two sides met at Old Trafford in the Capital One Cup, where United ran out 2-1 winners. This will however be a completely different ball game as both sides will field far more experienced sides to those that took to the Old Trafford turf last Wednesday. On that day, Uniteds goals were scored by Anderson and Tom Cleverley, both who will be again hoping to make appearances for the club following decent displays against Cluj.
Sir Alex also has the same dilema of how to fit all of his attacking options into the side. You would assume Robin van Persie would be the first name on the teamsheet after he has already notched 7 goals in his first 7 appearances in a United shirt. Wayne Rooney will aso be hoping for a start as he continues his comeback from injury, as well as seeking his first goal of the season. And then there is Shinji Kagawa, who was rested against Cluj after scoring his second United goal in last weeks defeat to Spurs. Not to mention the likes of Welbeck, Hernandez, Nani and Valencia, who was pictured back in training this week, although it is unknown if he’s available.
Newcastle, also come into this game following a disappointing result in the league last week after they drew against Reading, they did however record a 3-0 victory in the Europa League on Thursday evening. Uniteds leaky defence will have to be on its guard as Newcastle striker Demba Ba has hit the ground running this season, already scoring 6 goals. Papiss Cisse has also scored 2 recently after his early season goal drought, including the goal against United in last weeks fixture.
Predicted Lineup
de Gea Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra Nani, Carrick, Cleverley Rooney, RvP, KagawaMatch Betting
United, entering the match in 6th place in the league after Saturdays results, are slight favourites for the game at 5/4 whilst Newcastle are priced at 3/1. The draw is available at 11/4. Newcastle have long odds of 40/1 to repeat Januarys 3-0 victory. As usual, Robin van Persie is the standout candidate in the goalscoring markets. He is odds on (10/11) to score at any time during the game. An interesting bet is both RVP and Demba Ba to score at any time, available at 11/2.
A match report will of course be available here at Old Trafford Faithful.
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