Manchester United vs Newcastle Prediction: Boxing Day bonanza should deliver goals

Just the one Premier League fixture to enjoy with our Christmas leftovers this year, as Manchester United welcome Newcastle United to Old Trafford on Boxing Day (20:00 GMT, live on Sky Sports Main Event).

Man Utd enter the weekend in seventh place, after losing 2-1 to Aston Villa, while Newcastle, who are 11th, could pull level on points with the hosts with a win here. Read on for my Manchester United vs Newcastle predictions, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Amad, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui are away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations so will miss out here.

Kobbie Mainoo sat out of United's 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa last Sunday with a calf injury, while Bruno Fernandes was forced off in that game with a hamstring issue, so the pair's availability remains up in the air.

Casemiro will return from suspension, while Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt remain doubts with knocks.

As for Newcastle, Tino Livramento missed Saturday's 2-2 draw against Chelsea after sustaining a knee issue during last week's 2-1 win against Fulham in the Carabao Cup, and although he'll be absent for the trip to Old Trafford, Eddie Howe has confirmed the injury doesn't appear as serious as first feared.

Howe also confirmed that Sven Botman is close to returning for the Magpies, but that won't be on Boxing Day. Dan Burn, Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles and Kieran Trippier are expected to be out until the new year.

Manchester United vs Newcastle Odds

Manchester United are 6/4 to win on Boxing Day, giving them an implied win probability of 40%, the draw is 13/5 and Newcastle are 9/5.

Both teams to score is odds-on at 8/15, and Nick Woltemade is favourite to score anytime at 7/5.

Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals @ 5/6

The defeat United suffered at the hands of Villa was only the Red Devils' second in 11 games, but there remains glaring defensive issues - only the current bottom three, Leeds and Bournemouth have conceded more than their 28 league goals.

Newcastle are also suffering with similar issues - Howe's team kept five clean sheets in their opening seven games, shipping just five goals in that run. They have since let in a further 17 in 10 matches, failing to keep a single clean sheet.

However, United only trail their noisy neighbours Manchester City in terms of most goals scored in the top flight. Similarly, Newcastle haven't had many issues in finding the back of the net - their recent 1-0 derby-day defeat to Sunderland was the first time in 20 games they fired a blank.

Matheus Cunha to score anytime @ 8/5

Cunha scored in the aforementioned defeat to Villa, taking his goal tally to three and scoring in each of his last two appearances.

With the likes of Mbeumo and Amad away at Afcon, Cunha will need to step up in front of goal on a consistent basis, and I fancy him get in on the action once again on Boxing Day.

A goal against Newcastle would make it three in three for the Brazilian, so let's back him to make it happen at 8/5.

Double Delight & Hat-trick Heaven

Pre-match single on First Goalscorer market in selected games. Paid in cash upon market settlement. 90 mins only. T&Cs Apply.

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Offers

Friday: Get Turbo Boosted odds on Man United vs Newcastle! (Available from 12:00 26/12)

Friday: Opt in & place a 3+ leg Bet Builder of £10 or more (odds 3/1+) on Man United vs Newcastle and get £10 in Free Bets to use In-Play on the match! (Credited upon bet placement)

Click here for the latest Football Odds and Today's Football Fixtures