Manchester United fans are elated with their club’s performance ever since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over for Jose Mourinho. The only question they are asking now is why he didn’t take over sooner. Solskjaer has piloted the Red Devils to three straight multiple goal victories since taking over, and now Manchester United are just three points behind Arsenal for fifth place in the Premier League. They will be out to close the gap when they travel to face Newcastle United on Wednesday.
Don't miss the English Premier League action from St. James’ Park in Newcastle at 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 2, 2019. Catch every moment of the match live on NBCSN.
English Premier League Betting at BookMaker.eu
Newcastle United +440
Manchester United -169
Draw +322
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
The Magpies are near the bottom of the table, but their fans are pretty happy with the club’s performances over the last couple weeks. Newcastle United have picked up a result in three of their last four matches, and they are now in 15th place, three points clear of the drop. They grabbed a key win on the road against Huddersfield Town, and they were quite content to get a draw on the road against Watford. The Magpies were in position to get the win for much of the match until a late goal led to a 1-1 draw.
Goals have been scored in abundance under Solskjaer over these last three weeks. Manchester United have opened things up, and the players have expressed their approval with his tactics to the press in lavish terms. They have combined to outscore Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town, and Bournemouth 12-3 over their last three matches.
Key Injuries
Florian Lejeune is close to returning for Newcastle. He has been out since suffering a knee injury during the preseason, so Rafa Benitez is being cautious with his center back. Lejeune will miss this match, but he will play in the Magpies’ FA Cup tie with Blackburn on the weekend. Elsewhere, Ciaran Clark and Karl Darlow will miss the match due to injury, while Ki Sung-yeung is off playing with Korea at the Asian Cup. Federico Fernandez is doubtful due to a groin injury.
Manchester United will be without Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling a short time longer because of injury, and Eric Bertrand Bailly will miss the match too due to picking up a red card against Bournemouth. Scott McTominay is listed as doubtful to return, but Marcus Rashford and Alexis Sanchez have been upgraded to questionable.
Player to Watch
No player has benefited more from Mourinho’s sacking than Paul Pogba. Pogba and Mourinho did not get along well, as Pogba resented playing the defensive role he was asked to play under the former manager. He has been unleashed over the past couple weeks, and he has played like the Pogba we saw at the World Cup. Pogba has notched a brace in each of Manchester United’s last two matches.
Prop Bet of the Game – Manchester United 3, Newcastle United 1 +858
It’s been a while since I’ve played an exact score for a prop, but recent history suggests there may be some value here. The Red Devils have won their last three matches by scores of 5-1, 3-1, and 4-1, and they are going to continue to play aggressive. Newcastle have defended well against the mid-tier and bottom-tier teams, but they let Liverpool knock in 4, so it’s not a small stretch to see Manchester United tally 3.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Interesting enough, Manchester United’s 3-2 comeback win over Newcastle United at Old Trafford three months ago saved Mourinho’s job for another two months. A draw or a loss there would have led to him being canned prior to the international break, but he managed to hold onto his job as a result of that win. If that team can score three on Newcastle with their inclination towards defense, so can this one.
English Premier League Odds: Manchester United 3, Newcastle United 1
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