Newcastle vs Manchester United: Preview

Wednesday 8pm, St James’ Park.

Newcastle 5.00 Draw 3.60 Manchester United 1.72

Reprieved by Manchester City’s loss to Sunderland, there’s no such margin for error tonight for Manchester United. I think if Sir Alex Ferguson was honest with himself, he’d accept that he and his players took Blackburn a bit lightly on New Year’s Day.

Newcastle will be without Danny Guthrie and Peter Lovenkrands, but Gabriel Obertan(f/g) should be fit to face his old club. Manchester United could include Rio Ferdinand and Chris Smalling for the trip to the North East, while Wayne Rooney will likely be reinstated following his ‘resting’ last time out.

The victory against Bolton aside, Newcastle have had a mixture of bad luck and poor performances stretching back to November. In all fairness, Alan Pardew’s side have endured a tricky run of fixtures too; Manchester United, Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool, and Norwich away were always going to be a stern examination. Last time out they were well-beaten by a fairly average Liverpool team, and it was a disappointing surrender given what they’ve already shown themselves to be capable of.

Pardew will hopefully twin Leon Best with Demba Ba(f/g) up front tonight, as that clearly gives them the best chance of maintaining possession in the opposition’s half – Ba, for all his qualities, doesn’t look quite fit at the moment, and could do with a willing runner alongside him. Chiek Tiote’s return to the side is a big plus, and he’ll look to dominate the midfield – where United are clearly weakened at the moment.

With Wayne Rooney(f/g) back in the side, expect Dimitar Berbatov to drop to the bench – and I don’t think anyone will expect a repeat of the Rafael midfield experiment. If fit, Chris Smalling and Rio Ferdinand will take their places at centre and right-back, with Antonio Valencia moving into his more natural wide-midfield habitat. Anderson and Michael Carrick will likely start in the centre of midfield.

Manchester United are vulnerable at the moment, and this game will be decided by how much belief Newcastle have in their own ability to get at the Champions. A good atmosphere, a good work-rate, and a good level of discipline, and the hosts should make this a very awkward evening. I expect Manchester United to start well, with their manager’s ire still lingering in their ears, but the weight of Newcastle’s desire should be enough over 90 minutes. United are there for the taking at the moment, the reputation with which the beat so many teams wont be enough tonight.

Newcastle 2-1.

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