Premier League: The Battle for Champions League Places is Back On

Newcastle United vs Manchester United

Premier League action is back on the agenda folks, and what better way to get into the swing again with this game between Newcastle and Manchester United?

While Arsenal and Manchester City chase the title, there is quite a fight bubbling up for the other two Champions League places and these two titans of the game are in the middle of the battle.

Manchester United, in third position, are favourites to claim their place. But Newcastle United, in fifth, are three points behind with a better goal difference, and so a home win could see these two change places.

Liverpool, seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, are gathering momentum and you can’t rule out Brighton, on the same points as Pool but with a game in hand.

So this match is a whopper!

And to add to the stakes, Newcastle are looking for revenge after they lost the Carabao Cup final to the Red Devils in February.

Both teams were desperate for silverware and the Magpies wait goes on, but if they can beat Manchester United on Sunday, the disappointment will be gone.

Talking Points

Players flooding back for Magpies

The pre-match Premier League 2023 betting odds give the hosts an edge, and with Eddie Howe’s squad looking stronger than before the break I can see why.

In defence, Fabian Schar has recovered from a foot injury, while Sven Botman seems to have shaken off the virus he picked up when he joined the Netherlands squad.

Two creative players are back in action too, as winger Anthony Gordon has recovered from an ankle injury while the livewire Allan Saint-Maximin, who was subbed at half time against Nottingham Forest with a tight hamstring, should be okay.

Keeper Nick Pope has been one of the Magpies’ big players this season, performing at a consistently high standard. He withdrew from England squad but is fit to face the Red Devils.

Meanwhile, up front, there is mixed news.

Callum Wilson is in good health and ready to start after a few weeks struggling with illness and injury, while advanced midfielder Joelinton is back having served a two-match suspension, but top scorer Miguel Almiron is still sidelined with a thigh injury.

Can McTominay step up for Red Devils?

Manchester United’s fringe midfielder Scott McTominay scored four goals for Scotland in two wins this week and his international form might persuade head coach Erik ten Hag to give him a start against the Magpies.

The defencive midfielder has struggled for game time since the arrival of Casemiro and the improvement in form of Fred, but Casemiro’s suspension may open the door for the big Scot. The Brazilian star picked up a second red card of the campaign when he hit Southampton’s Carlos Alcaraz with a nasty challenge.

He has never had a straight red in his career before his arrival at Old Trafford, but now Casemiro has a four-match ban, missing the win over Fulham, and the oncoming games against Newcastle, Brentford, and Everton.

Manchester United are a different team without Casemiro. The midfield ace scored the crucial first goal in the Carabao Cup final before Marcus Rashford added a second, and the Red Devils need Rashford to continue his rich vein of form if they are to pick up maximum points in Casemiro’s absence.

Manchester United’s last away league game resulted in a 7-0 hammering by Liverpool and, while the Magpies are unlikely to get near to that, this is a real test for the Red Devils and they need to win, or at least compete in, the midfield battle.

History

In 58 games since the start of the Premier League, Manchester United have won 35 and drawn 16 of the head-to-head meetings with Newcastle picking up just seven victories.

The last two league matches have both ended in a draw; 0-0 at Old Trafford earlier in this season and 1-1 at St James Park in the 2021/22 campaign.

Recent form favours the visitors with four wins, one draw, and one defeat while the hosts have won two, drawn one, and lost three.

But after a run of three losses, Newcastle have recorded back-to-back wins to get their season back on track.

Newcastle’s home record of seven wins, five draws, and a single defeat has been the bedrock of their top four challenge and they will be hard to beat again on Sunday.

Betting Tip

The other teams around the top four race will be watching the Premier League 2023 updates with interest and the Magpies are favourites to win this game at a SBOTOP price of 2.31, but the Red Devils at 2.71 are well in the match.

I suspect the other teams in the mix will be pleased to see these two earn a single point each and the most likely outcome is another 1-1 draw at odds of 5.22.

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.