Louis van Gaal still has a job with Manchester United, but the next substandard result could be his last.
The Red Devils have what should be a walk in the park against Newcastle United up on Tuesday, but having just two days to prepare for this fixture makes it a dangerous one.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Newcastle +400
Manchester United -130
Draw +265
Over/Under 2.5 (under -135)
ODDS ANALYSIS
Manchester United still sits in fifth place on the table, and the Premier League title isn't totally out of the realm of possibility with 18 matches left to play. However, the Red Devils really have to figure out how to start stringing goals together against bad teams like this.
Man U is only set at -130 on the road, basically making it just beyond a 50/50 proposition to win or not win this duel.
The total almost has to be low. Newcastle only has 19 goals in 20 matches this year, while United has just 24 in 20. That's why the total is significantly lower than average at 2.5 and -135 vig on the under.
KEY INJURIES
We're going to see what happens with Bastian Schweinsteiger in this match, but he was dinged up against Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup over the weekend. It'll be tough to see him back in the fold. In all likelihood, he'll join Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Nick Powell and Valencia on the sidelines in street clothes for the Red Devils.
Newcastle could get Rolando Aarons back for the Manchester United match after missing almost three months with a foot injury. Papiss Demba Cisse, Michael Williamson and Gabriel Obertan are all out as well.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I think a player of Manchester United has to cope with the pressure of the fans of Manchester United and also the media pressure. That is also what I expect of the manager of Manchester United. It can have an influence, but I think a player of Manchester United has to deal with that, otherwise you are not a good Manchester United player." – Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal on the continued speculation of his job status
RECENT FORM
Van Gaal has suggested that results are all that matters even though his team has been playing atrocious offensive ball of late. Wayne Rooney converted a penalty in the third round FA Cup tie against Sheffield United to salvage what would've been an embarrassing scoreless draw at home otherwise. That's now three under matches in four games for Manchester United, though it should be noted that it has three straight fixtures with at least a point under its belt.
Newcastle is going to be happy to be back at home after three straight away fixtures, but Steve McLaren has a big issue right now on the offensive end of the pitch. The Magpies have been beaten in four straight matches by identical 1-0 results. They've played five straight under games as well, the last four of which haven't even been remotely close to the number.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Go up and down the Newcastle lineup and find where the goals are going to be coming from. Georginio Wijnaldum leads the team with seven goals, but this really is a poor setup against a Manchester United team which is going to basically try to lull the Magpies to sleep.
Of course, United doesn't have much in the way of attacking firepower either. Van Gaal has tried all sorts of combinations up front, but nothing seems to be working that well. We do think that someone will come up with the goal once again somehow for the Red Devils, but this won't be a pretty match. A scoreless draw isn't out of the realm of possibility, but we'll fancy the visitors to get the three points.
Manchester United 1, Newcastle 0
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Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The fixture between Newcastle and Manchester United is scheduled for Tuesday, January 12, 2016, at 2:45 p.m. ET at St. James' Park. The match will be televised live on NBC Sports Network.
