Man Utd v Newcastle betting tips and predictions – top picks for Boxing Day showdown

The 8pm kick-off between Manchester United and Newcastle United will command a huge audience as the only Premier League fixture of Boxing Day – and a thriller could be in store.

Both these sides have been struggling defensively, so goals seem highly likely at Old Trafford.

Newcastle can go level on points with their hosts if they triumph at the Theatre of Dreams, but Manchester United have built some confidence in recent weeks and will fancy their chances of success.

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Man Utd vs Newcastle betting tips

• Tip 1 – Benjamin Sesko first goalscorer @ 11/2
• Tip 2 – Over 2.5 goals @ 3/5
• Tip 3 – Manchester United to win 2-1 @ 8/1

Slovenian striker to open scoring

Manchester United fans needed to show patience with Ruben Amorim before things started improving – and Amorim himself is urging supporters to provide the same faith in Benjamin Sesko.

United followers have been getting on Sesko’s back as the Slovenian has made a slow start to life at Old Trafford. The big-money signing arrived in August, but has scored only two goals in 14 appearances.

Sesko has only just returned from injury, though, and lasted only 73 minutes at Aston Villa last Sunday. With the rust shed, expect the 22-year-old to strip fitter against Newcastle and give a weak Newcastle defence a searching examination.

With Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha pulling the strings in midfield, Sesko can feed off quality service, and Newcastle seem ill equipped to deal with his aerial threat. Toon giant Dan Burn is still out injured.

Expect three or more goals

It would be a surprise should this match turn into a bore, given how suspect the two defences have been lately, and over 2.5 goals seems a solid wager.

Newcastle have gone 10 games without keeping a clean sheet and it is difficult to imagine Eddie Howe’s side holding firm at Old Trafford, where Manchester United are averaging two goals a game in the league this season.

Only five teams in the Premier League have conceded more goals than Manchester United, though, so goals at both ends seems likely on Boxing Day.

United’s last home game was a 4-4 thriller with Bournemouth and goals should flow again at the Theatre of Dreams when Newcastle arrive.

Home side can edge to victory

Manchester United have lost only two of their last 11 games in all competitions, with self-belief returning to the former top dogs of English football.

Ruben Amorim’s unusual methods took time to translate into results – and many United fans felt the Portuguese chief should have been relieved of his duties – but the Red Devils have settled into a rhythm.

Amorim’s team have failed to score in just one of their last 13 games and they will be licking their lips about facing a side which has not kept a clean sheet away from home since October 1. Bournemouth away on September 21 was Newcastle’s last domestic clean sheet.

United are rarely perfect defensively, so a 2-1 home victory seems the most likely scoreline.

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