Manchester United have been given a quick opportunity to atone
for their Wembley disappointment at the weekend by playing Newcastle United but
they may not have things all their own way on Tuesday night.
Newcastle do make fast starts at home, having the first goal
against Chelsea and Spurs this year and also offer heavy resistance, having scored
against Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs at home this season.
Newcastle are still as unpredictable as ever - a 4-0 defeat
at Stoke, a 4-1 win over Wolves and a 1-0 loss away at Aston Villa are there
last three results – And their squad issues are a worry.
Skipper and top scorer Kevin Nolan serves a two-match ban, Hatem Ben Arfa (broken leg) Alan Smith (ankle)
and Dan Gosling (knee) and Leon Best (ankle) are all our for the rest of the season.
On the lighter side, Cheik Tiote and James Perch return from
suspension for the hosts, and maybe Stephen Ireland could play almost three
months after his arrival on loan from Aston Villa.
Even with Saturday’s poor defeat for United, Newcastle aren’t
the recommendation - They have failed to win any of the previous 16 league
encounters between the two clubs – Despite there being quotes of 9/2 around.
United had won 6 out of their last 6 before Saturday’s cup exploits,
doing a double over Chelsea and winning at West Ham, and the Premiership may
still be there given Arsenal’s glorious failure against Liverpool in the last minute,
self – started by Emmauel Eboue – The gap’s now 6 points with no games in hand –
May still be there.
Given the stats quoted above, maybe backing both teams to
score may have more going for it than most. 69% of Newcastle's home games and
75% of Manchester United's away games this season have had over 2.5 while there
have been 18 goals during the last four league matches – so there should be
chances a plenty.
Admittedly that points to Over 2.5 (10/11 Hills) & 3.5 (2/1
Bwin) but given Newcastle’s strong starting performances in big games so far
this season, and Manchester United’s class, I’d rather be with both sides
scoring.
Advice
1 pt Both teams to score in Newcastle v Manchester United (10/11
Hills)
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