Manchester United eyes a Premier League win after two games in their trip to St James’ Park for a Carabao Cup final rematch against Newcastle United.
NEW vs MUN Match Details
Date: Sunday, 2 April 2023
Time: 15:30 (CET) / 21:00 (IST)
Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle United
NEW vs MUN Match Preview
Newcastle United were able to bounce back from a six-game winless streak with back-to-back wins in the Premier League, picking themselves up again in the top-four chase. The Magpies sit just two points off Tottenham Hotspurs in the final Champions League place and will reclaim the spot with a win at the weekend. Spurs have faltered themselves leading to their manager Antonio Conte’s sacking and had also Fabio Paratici as the managing director after the ban imposed by FIFA on him went worldwide. Hence, Newcastle destiny is in their own hands again with their top-four rivals having a lot of things to balance off the pitch. Eddie Howe will want his side to not shift from their winning momentum this time around with only 12 matches to go by. The Toons fell behind in the game against Nottingham Forest before the international break but managed to snap the unbeaten record of the home side at the City Ground with a brace from Alexander Isak who now have three goals in consecutive games. Their defensive solidity has deteriorated over the last two months and it is the need of the hour as Manchester United visits them. Only two of their last five Premier League home games have ended in victory so St James’ Park has not been the fortress it was early this season. Newcastle will have to break their duck against the Red Devils over the last six meetings or fear drifting from the top four and Liverpool catching up to them.
Manchester United had a break from the Premier League after their 0-0 draw against Southampton down to 10 men but certainly not from the action. Erik ten Hag’s side settled their last-16 Europa League tie against Real Betis in the second leg in Spain and played a chaotic FA Cup quarter final clash with Fulham before players headed for international duties. Aleksandar Mitrovic gave the away side a deserved lead in the 50th minute in the game at Old Trafford almost pulling off a huge upset. Jadon Sancho’s effort was then blocked by Willian with his arm in front of the goal leading to a penalty awarded by referee Chris Kavanagh with a second look at the monitor. He sent off the former Chelsea winger after red-carding Fulham’s manager Marco Silva for encroaching the VAR area and goal-scorer Mitrovic for angry reactions to his teammate’s dismissal. The Cottagers ended the game with nine men and without their manager on the touchline. The home side took full advantage of it as Bruno Fernandes converted the penalty before completing his brace after Marcel Sabitzer gave United the lead for the 3-1 win eventually to set up a semi-final clash with Brighton. United are very much in the running for the remaining cup competitions after winning the Carabao Cup. They face the finalists of that competition this weekend to get back into winning track in the league. The Red Devils have drawn the last two meetings but will not be happy with the same result here with the last away trip in the league ending in a 7-0 humiliation to Liverpool at Anfield.
Recent Form (all competitions)
NEW: WWLLL
MUN: WWDWL
Recent Form (Premier League)
NEW: WWLLD
MUN: DLWWD
NEW vs MUN Team News
Newcastle United are without star winger Miguel Almiron for a thigh injury that will keep him out till the end of the month. Goalkeeper Nick Pope felt a problem after the game against Wolves but went on to complete the following match against Nottingham Forest carrying the discomfort. He has returned to training this week and will be available for the weekend. However, Anthony Gordon’s availability is not certain as he struggles with an ankle injury. Joelinton is suspended after accumulating too many yellow cards.
Erik ten Hag says he is hopeful that Marcus Rashford will be fit for Sunday's game against Newcastle United. He returned to training a day before the game after picking up a toe injury that pulled him out of the England squad for the March Euro 2024 qualifiers. Raphael Varane and Marcel Sabitzer both picked up a knock in the international break but should be available for this game. Scott McTominay has also staked his claim in midfield after his recent goal-scoring exploits with Scotland but Casemiro serves the second of his four-match ban due to the red card he received against Southampton in the last Premier League game.
NEW vs MUN Head to head
NEW won: 43
Drawn: 41
MUN won: 91
(In overall meetings)
NEW vs MUN Predicted Lineups
NEW: Nick Pope; Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, Dan Burn; Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Joe Willock; Jacob Murphy, Alexander Isak, Saint-Maximin
MUN: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw; Marcel Sabitzer, McTominay; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Wout Weghorst
NEW vs MUN Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: De Gea (7.5)
DEF: Trippier (9), Martinez (8.5), Shaw (8)
MID: Antony (8.5), B Fernandes (9), Guimareas (8), Willock (8)
FW: Rashford (9), Isak (9), Saint-Maximin (8)
Vice-captain: Bruno Fernandes
Captain: Marcus Rashford
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
