Manchester United vs Newcastle United prediction, odds and betting tips
Manchester United will be looking to bounce back from weekend disappointment when they take on Newcastle United in the EFL Cup.
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Manchester United vs Newcastle United odds
Here are the latest match odds for Manchester United vs Newcastle United. All odds are provided by our best-reviewed football betting sites.
⚡ Quick Manchester United vs Newcastle United tips
Manchester United vs Newcastle United predictions
A malaise has set in at Manchester United once more. A club that has spent much of the last decade stuck in a rut finds itself in a familiar situation.
Before the Manchester derby at the weekend, United had won three games on the bounce. But they did not play particularly well in any of those victories over Brentford, Sheffield United and Copenhagen. You cannot outrun mediocre performances forever.
All this is puzzling because there was a sense of quiet optimism at Old Trafford going into the campaign.
United finished third in the Premier League last term and won the EFL Cup by beating Newcastle United, their opponents in the fourth round this year.
It was a broadly positive debut campaign for Erik ten Hag, and United were expected to kick on again after signing the likes of Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund over the summer.
But things have not gone to plan. United sit eighth in the Premier League and third in their Champions League group.
There has been little misfortune. Take the top flight, where United rank a lowly 11th on expected goals difference, a measure of the quality of chances a team creates and concedes.
That is why things could get worse before they get better. Ten Hag would have hoped for a kinder draw in the fourth round of this tournament as he seeks to win another piece of silverware this season.
United are the favourites to win Wednesday’s encounter, but anyone who watched Sunday’s derby will fancy alternative wagers.
�� Manchester United vs Newcastle United betting tips
Manchester United are not in a good place right now and Newcastle United will look to take full advantage.
Newcastle or draw - 7/10 (bet365)
Newcastle fans were naturally disappointed to lose last season’s EFL Cup final to Manchester United, but even being there at Wembley Stadium was a mark of progress.
For a club of their size, the Magpies have been great underachievers over the last few decades. They have not won a major trophy since way back in 1955. The likes of Swansea City, Wigan Athletic, Luton Town, Swindon Town and Wimbledon have better records in that regard.
Before last season, Newcastle had not even been in a final since they lost to Manchester United in the FA Cup showpiece of 1999.
One of the supporters’ biggest gripe in the Mike Ashley era was the fact Newcastle did not take the domestic cup competitions seriously.
The fans therefore want to see Eddie Howe’s side take this tournament seriously, but the Newcastle boss also needs to factor in the Champions League this term.
Even so, the way these two teams have performed so far this season points towards a Newcastle victory. In the aforementioned expected goals table, they rank second behind Manchester City.
Home advantage could be a factor, though, so consider hedging your bets via the double chance market in this one.
Under 2.5 goals - 17/20 (bet365)
Manchester United are struggling at both ends of the pitch right now, which does not bode well for this game against Newcastle United.
Only seven sides in the Premier League have conceded more goals, while Ten Hag’s charges rank 12th for goals scored. Those statistics do not befit 20-time champions.
If you were being kind, one could argue that there have been mitigating circumstances at the back: injuries to the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Raphael Varane, and a new goalkeeper in Onana who is still bedding in.
It is more difficult to explain United’s attacking woes. An average of 1.1 goal per league game is abysmal. Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes are failing to deliver, while Hojlund remains raw.
Newcastle will be aware of United’s struggles in forward areas and will head to Old Trafford with a clean sheet as their first priority.
Indeed, this will not necessarily be a high-scoring affair and both Ten Hag and Howe will have half an eye on this weekend’s Premier League action.
Callum Wilson to score any time - 12/5 (bet365)
At Manchester United, Hojlund is clearly the first-choice centre-forward. At Newcastle United, it is not so clear-cut.
Alexander Isak would probably get the nod over Callum Wilson if both players were fit, but the latter is more than just an understudy.
Each striker brings something different to the table. Isak is more technically proficient and a better link player. Wilson excels at running in behind and stretching opposition defences.
The former Bournemouth man notched a brace in the 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday and he is in line to start again here as Isak continues to nurse a groin injury.
Whoever starts in the heart of the backline for United will not relish coming up against Wilson, who is a real handful.
The 31-year-old has scored seven goals in all competitions this term despite only starting four matches. In the Premier League he is averaging a goal every hour.
Given he could be on the pitch for 90 minutes on Wednesday, Wilson looks like a smart selection in the anytime goalscorer market.
�� How to watch Manchester United vs Newcastle United
- Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
- Date and time: Wednesday 1 November 2023, 8.15pm
- How to watch: Sky Sports Football
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