Can the Red Devils win without their captain?

Compared to last season, the Red Devils are in a very solid position in the Manchester United vs. Newcastle tip. Seventeen matchdays have already been played in the Premier League, and the English record champions (20 titles, like Liverpool) are only three points behind fourth place in the table.

Injuries and call-ups for the Africa Cup of Nations are complicating head coach Ruben Amorim’s preparations in our Manchester United vs. Newcastle prediction. Bryan Mbeumo – United’s top scorer with six goals – is with his national team, as is Amad Diallo.

However, the absence of Bruno Fernandes has an even more serious impact on the distribution of the Manchester United vs. Newcastle betting odds in the best betting apps. Without the Portuguese player, the past seasons could have ended much worse.

The captain is both the creative force and the reliable presence in the team. A recent study estimated his playing time for club and country over the past three years at 16,880 minutes – the highest of any outfield player in the world.

Since his debut, the Old Trafford side have played 221 Premier League games. Bruno Fernandes has been on the pitch for 212 of those matches and has been in the starting line-up for 208. Between the start of the 2022/2023 season, the hosts have played seven games without their Portuguese leader in the starting lineup and have not won any of them (1D, 6L).

Manchester United – Newcastle Head-to-head record

The historical glasses contain lenses through which Red Devils fans like to look before Boxing Day. Of their 20 previous home games on Boxing Day, the hosts have not lost a single one (17W, 3D). The English record champions last lost a home game at Old Trafford against Liverpool (0-3) in 1978.

Comparisons with the Magpies did not go down well with Amorim’s team last season. Manchester United lost both Premier League duels last season, failing to score at home (0-2) and losing 1-4 away to the Toons.

Manchester United – Newcastle Tip

Several offensive players are missing from the Red Devils’ squad. The first replacement for Bruno Fernandes would probably be Kobbie Mainoo, but he is also likely to be out. This will require creative solutions in the final third from other players – a difficult task against a team that travels to Old Trafford with the third-best expected goals against defense (18.79 xGA).

Away games for the Toons this season have often been hard-fought and low-scoring encounters. On average, only 2.13 goals have been scored in the Magpies’ Premier League away games (7:10). From the perspective of visiting coach Eddie Howe, these have ended in success far too rarely. Newcastle have won only one of their previous eleven PL away games (4D, 6L).

Nick Woltemade could prove to be the most dangerous offensive player. The German striker has already scored seven goals this season. Rarely has a German player scored more goals in his debut season on the island. Only Jürgen Klinsmann (20), Lukas Podolski (11), and Andre Schürrle (8) are ahead of the 1.98 m tall striker.

However, with 23.69 expected goals (11th), Eddie Howe only has an average offense at his disposal – another indicator for us to place a bet on “under 2.5 goals.”