History backs Man Utd for devilish demolition of Newcastle
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Manchester United, heavily odds-on with Coral at 4/11 to win, host Newcastle United, with a perfect start to the season behind them.
Both of their victories, against Tottenham and Aston Villa, so far have been narrow 1-0 results, with the Red Devils still lacking a little spark up top. Louis van Gaal, then, will be hoping that facing foes Newcastle can inspire his attackers.
Man Utd hold an excellent head-to-head record of 83 wins to 41 against the Magpies, who they just seem to love scoring against, having hit eight past the Tyneside team in their past four meetings.
Punters can take odds of 6/4 for the Red Devils to fire in three or more, on the back of a brilliant Champions League play-off outing against Club Brugge.
Dazzling Dutchman Memphis Depay bagged a brace against the Belgians, but could have scored more midweek at Old Trafford, so is a superb 6/1 shout to strike two or more again, now he has a taste for the big stage at home.
He will hope that Van Gaal allows him to shine in his natural position on the wing, and take on the Magpies’ right flank, weakened by Daryl Janmaat’s suspension. So, in a cracking Coral Match Special (max stake 20), back Memphis to score and Man Utd to win at 2/1.
Another young-gun in Adnan Januzaj, who grabbed the winner against Villa, will be hoping for a second Premier League start, and is an excellent 11/2 shout in the anytime market.
Skipper Wayne Rooney himself hit a double in this fixture last season, and badly needs to get on the scoresheet to silence critics.
Man Utd’s leading man has notched 12 goals in 22 career games against the Magpies, so could not wish for more malleable opposition. Back Rooney to get back to his rampant best here, where he is 7/2 to open the scoring.
Having lost out on Pedro to Chelsea, Man Utd need a statement from their forward line, though their defence looks tidy despite missing out on defender Nicolas Otamendi. With Chris Smalling boisterous at the back, the Old Trafford outfit are 6/5 to win to nil and keep a third clean league sheet in a row.
Should you favour the underdog, Steve McClaren’s side are 8/1 for a shock win, or 15/4 to hold their hosts to a draw. Newcastle have done it before, stunning United with an away win in 2013. Yet that is their only victory at Old Trafford in 21 Premier League visits.
Clashes between the two do historically bring a glut of goals, with another Clockwork Orange talent in Georginio Wijnaldum (5/1 to be on target again anytime) perhaps Newcastle’s best chance of netting. Alternatively Magpies makrsmen Papiss Cisse and Aleksandar Mitrovic are respective 11/4 and 10/3 punts in the same market.
Betting tip: with Memphis Depay in fine form, back him at 2/1 to score and Man Utd to win in Cora’s Match Special (max stake £20)
