Manchester United vs. Newcastle United Prediction: Work to Do for Champions League Hopefuls

• Manchester United have improved this season but there is still a way to go

• Newcastle United are struggling to string a consistent run of results together

• Who will triumph at Old Trafford in this year’s only Boxing Day fixture?

Manchester United vs. Newcastle United Odds

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My +180 Pick for Manchester United vs. Newcastle United 

Go for a Newcastle United win in this one. The Magpies have struggled on the road this season, but Manchester United will be without some key players and that could cost them.

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Manchester United Still Searching for the Right Balance

Ruben Amorim will be pretty pleased with Manchester United’s last two performances, all things considered. They put on a thrilling attacking display against Bournemouth, then matched high-flying, in-form Aston Villa on their own patch. The problem is, United only collected one point from a possible six in those two contests.

There have been positives to take from United's season to date, but there is a sense of frustration around Old Trafford too. The Red Devils’ issues have reversed from last term. In 2024/25, they were decent at the back but insipid in attack. This time around United are creating chances and scoring goals, yet they are struggling at the other end.

Arsenal and Manchester City are the two best teams in the Premier League, while Villa’s remarkable form puts them in the title conversation at least for now. The race for fourth (the final guaranteed Champions League qualification spot) looks wide open, though. Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are all within three points of each other, as are Sunderland and Crystal Palace.

United must be cursing themselves that they are not higher than seventh at Christmas. Every team can produce its own what-if scenarios, yet United's recent failure to beat any of Everton, West Ham United or Bournemouth at home must sting. Had they triumphed in a couple of those matches, they would be in the top four right now.

The scoreline at Villa Park last weekend was not the only disappointment for United. Even more damaging in terms of their campaign as a whole was the hamstring injury suffered by Bruno Fernandes, their near-ever-present captain and star player. Without him in the XI, United are a much poorer side. Losing him for the busy festive period is a particularly painful blow.

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Newcastle United Must Improve Their Form Away From Home

Newcastle United were on cloud nine at half-time of their clash with Chelsea last time out. A brace from Nick Woltemade gave them a 2-0 lead with 45 minutes on the clock, with Eddie Howe’s team seemingly on their way to a convincing victory over a fellow top-four contender.

Everything changed after the interval. Chelsea were much improved, with Reece James halving the deficit before Joao Pedro drew the visitors to St James’ Park level. Newcastle still could have won it from there, but in the end they had to settle for a point.

Try as they might, the Magpies cannot seem to put a consistent run of form together. They have won back-to-back league games just once this term. Unless Howe’s team can become more consistent, they will struggle to realise their principal objective of qualifying for the Champions League.

They remain in the mix for now. The middle part of the Premier League table is very congested, so despite being 11th Newcastle are only six points outside the top four. A strong second half of the campaign might be enough for them to book a place at the 2026/27 edition of Europe's leading competition.

But before they can start thinking about another year in the Champions League, Newcastle must improve their away record. Only Wolverhampton Wanderers, who are rock-bottom of the table and surely doomed to relegation, have lost fewer games at rival stadiums than Newcastle, whose sole victory on unfamiliar soil came at the home of Everton. 

Teams with Champions League aspirations cannot rely solely on their home form, even if it is perfect - and Newcastle's is not. This trip to Old Trafford is a chance for Howe's team to show they can perform away from St James’.

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Both Teams Will Be Going for Victory on Boxing Day 2025

Boxing Day soccer is a tradition in England, but this is the only Premier League fixture scheduled for December 26 this year. Manchester United and Newcastle United will have the date to themselves as they lock horns under the floodlights at Old Trafford.

There was a time in the 1990s when these two clubs were in direct competition for the title. Needless to say, that is no longer the case. But United and Newcastle are both in the mix for a top-four finish, and head-to-head clashes between two teams competing for the same goal are always doubly important.

Home advantage could work in United’s favour, especially given Newcastle’s shoddy away record. But on this occasion, we are betting against the best online sportsbooks by recommending a Newcastle victory.

It is hard to overstate how much better a team United are with Fernandes in it. Elsewhere, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo are at the Africa Cup of Nations, and Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire are alongside their captain in the treatment room. United will therefore be missing five of their 10 first-choice outfielders.

They have also gone three home matches without a win and have kept just a solitary clean sheet all season. This is a huge opportunity for Newcastle.

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How to Watch Manchester United vs. Newcastle United

• Teams: Manchester United vs. Newcastle United

• Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, England

• Date and Time: Friday, 26th December, 3:00 PM ET

• How to Watch: USA Network