Manchester United vs Newcastle United: Betting Odds & Prediction
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A struggling Manchester United host a Newcastle United side who sit just three points above them in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.
The home side are looking to secure a spot in European competition for next season. Kick-off is set for 8pm UK time at Old Trafford.
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Manchester United
Erik Ten Hag's men have endured a miserable campaign which has left them eighth in the table with two matches remaining. Though the 1-0 loss to Arsenal last weekend was their first at Old Trafford since February, the result saw them suffer a second consecutive defeat in the Premier League overall.
United's home record is only the ninth-best in the division, and only Aston Villa have conceded more goals at home in the top eight. Their poor defensive record, which has seen them ship an average 1.56 goals this season, is largely due to their tendency to give away opportunities to opposition. Averaging a worrying expected goals against (xGA) of 1.51 per home fixture, its little wonder Ten Hag's side have managed just eight clean sheets this term.
Goals have been easier to come by at home, though, with 28 of their 52 scored coming at Old Trafford. United have found the net at least twice in nine home matches so far, though they have also failed to score at all in four.
Newcastle United
The visitors' record on the road this term has been poor. With just five away wins all season, only five sides have worse records on their travels in the division. Newcastle have won two of their last three away matches, though, and head into the fixture unbeaten in their last three league matches.
Like the hosts, Eddie Howe's side have made habit of conceding chances, particularly in away fixtures. Averaging an xGA of 2.06 on away soil, Newcastle have kept just two clean sheets on their travels, and have shipped at least two goals in an alarming eleven away matches.
Their 30 away goals scored is the fifth-highest in the league, averaging 1.76 per match, but their leaky defence has left their attacking line with far too much ground to make up.
Prediction
Both sides have shown vulnerabilities this year after showing signs of promise in the previous campaign. Though the hosts have been far from convincing as of late, Newcastle's record on the road is hard to ignore. OddsNow therefore back Ten Hag's men to secure three points in their final home outing of the season.