BBC Sport pundit verdict on Newcastle United – It is not difficult to know what will happen here… | OneFootball

Some interesting comments from this BBC Sport pundit on Eddie Howe and Newcastle United.

Chris Sutton speaking ahead of Monday night at Old Trafford.

Eddie Howe and his Newcastle United players looking to make it five wins in a row.

Fourteen goals and four dominant performances overwhelming Leicester, Brentford, Ipswich and Aston Villa.

Manchester United are now up next.

Chris Sutton talking to BBC Sport – 28 December 2024:

“It is not difficult to know what will happen here…

“Newcastle are flying and I am starting to get worried about poor Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, because he has stopped smiling already.

“I said before Christmas that I thought Newcastle would hit their stride and they have done exactly that. The way they are playing, they should win at Old Trafford and make it four league wins in a row.

“Manchester United’s form is the exact opposite. I am not concerned about Amorim getting the sack but it really does not help when your goalkeeper keeps on conceding goals direct from a corner – that is under-12s stuff.

“I remember it happening when I was watching my son play when he was about 15 and he got done off a corner. I told him you would never see it happen to a professional goalkeeper, but it has happened twice in two weeks to Andre Onana. You could not make it up.

“I need to apologise here though, because I was far too kind to Manchester United last week when I said they would get a draw at Wolves.

“Their fans give me so much stick on social media whenever I say they will lose that it must have got to me a bit – I have become a bit of a chicken and have put them down to get a draw when my gut feeling has been for them to lose.

“That has got to stop, because they are rubbish. That is not on Amorim because we will judge him when he has a chance to bring in his own players but, for now, we have to see them for what they are, which is a really poor side.

“Prediction: Man U 1 Newcastle United 2”

I find it difficult to disagree with pretty much any of this from the BBC Sport pundit.

Indeed, if both teams play on Monday night, as they have been doing in recent games, then it is difficult to see anything other than a Newcastle United away win.

However, as we all know, no two football matches are exactly the same and moments, especially goals, can change things in any game.

I think Eddie Howe’s biggest challenge ahead of this match will have been ensuring there is no complacency, thinking that they just need to turn up to be gifted the three points.

The last four Newcastle matches have seen four wins and fourteen goals scored, only one conceded. Whilst when it comes to purely scoring goals, Eddie Howe’s side in the past six games have scored 3, 2, 4, 3, 4, 3.

The last six Man U domestic matches have seen five defeats and only that late fluky victory over a poor Man City, saving them from an even more woeful record.

Leaving aside that derby win, the last five Man U domestic matches have seen them  concede 13 in five, a run of 2, 3, 3, 3, 2 conceded in each of the five matches. The last two home games have seen Man U concede three each to both Forest and Bournemouth, whilst Wolves defeated them 2-0 in their very last game at Molineux.

The stage is set for Newcastle United to win this and now they just have to go out at Old Trafford and perform as they have been doing.

Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Tuesday 7 January – Arsenal v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports and ITV1 and ITVX

Sunday 12 January – Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)

Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Wednesday 5 February – Newcastle v Arsenal (8pm) Sky Sports