Chris Sutton’s score prediction for Manchester United against Newcastle clearly has not factored in the clubs’ statistical performances this season.
Rúben Amorim is readying his squad for their penultimate match of the calendar year as Manchester United host Newcastle at Old Trafford on Friday night.
Because of Premier League scheduling regulations, the fixture stands alone on Boxing Day during the festive period, with the evening kick-off expected to provide a typically feisty contest.
Both teams have experienced mixed fortunes this season, finding the net regularly but struggling defensively, which sets the stage for a game that could produce plenty of goals.
United currently occupy seventh place in the table, though a Boxing Day win would give Amorim’s side the chance to climb to joint fourth, depending on other results, with Liverpool and Chelsea not in action until the weekend.
Sutton issues United vs Newcastle score prediction
Ahead of the tie, former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton issued his score predictions for the coming Premier League ties, starting off with the United vs Newcastle game.
“Manchester United got a bit of praise for their performance against Aston Villa, even though they were beaten,” Sutton told BBC Sport. “The key to how this game goes is what they do without Bruno Fernandes, and how they are going to cope without him.”
“You look around Ruben Amorim’s squad, and he does not seem to have a lot of leaders in there.
“It will be interesting to see if Amorim plays centre-back, Lisandro Martinez, in that holding midfield role, the same job he did when he came on for Fernandes against Villa, because he could provide that leadership they will need.
“Newcastle United will be absolutely sick that they let a two-goal lead slip against Chelsea last week, while their away record has a lot of room for improvement – they have won only one of their eight away league games so far.
“Manchester United are three points and four places above them in the table, but they are missing a few players at the Africa Cup of Nations and, in my mind, Newcastle United have the better squad anyway.
“Because of that, I am going to back Eddie Howe’s side here. There won’t be many goals, though, and they may only need to score one to win it,” he concluded, issuing a 1-0 win for Newcastle as his score prediction.
Sutton hasn’t looked at the status
Regardless of how Sutton feels about Amorim’s options or the lack of leadership within the squad, his prediction that goals will be scarce in the tie goes against the statistics this season.
Only Manchester City (41) have scored more goals than United (31) this season, with Amorim’s men level on goals with league leaders Arsenal heading into the gameweek. At the same time, Newcastle have conceded 22 goals, and as Sutton mentioned, led a 2-0 lead slip at home against Chelsea.
It’s true – United have lost three of their leading creators in Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Fernandes to injury or AFCON, but that does not mean they can’t still create chances. Against Villa, United still generated chances.
At the same time, Newcastle are missing several of their first-choice defenders, leaving United with the opportunity to strike, even if they remain shaky at the back.
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