Newcastle vs Manchester United Predictions

• Newcastle have won four matches in a row across all competitions
• The Magpies are chasing their first league double over Manchester United since 1931
• Manchester United have won just two of their last eight league games

Magpies motoring towards Champions League

Newcastle are enjoying a strong end to the season, not only have they ended their 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy after lifting the Carabao Cup last month, but they have also won three games on the bounce in the Premier League.

That has moved the Magpies firmly into the Champions League picture and they will fancy their chances of further underlining those claims by beating Manchester United at St James’ Park.

Eddie Howe’s side have a good recent record against the Red Devils, winning four of the last five meetings between the two sides, including a 2-0 success in December’s reverse clash at Old Trafford.

A first league double over United since 1931 could now be on the cards for Newcastle, who may be facing the visitors at exactly the right time.

Europe the priority for visitors

Manchester United’s season is all but over domestically, with the Red Devils out of contention for European qualification and set for a bottom-half finish.

However, Ruben Amorim’s side are still involved in the Europa League, drawing the first leg of their quarter-final tie in Lyon on Thursday, but with the return match to come at Old Trafford next midweek, this trip to Tyneside could act as little more than a distraction.

Amorim may opt to rotate his starting line-up with one eye on Lyon, but even if he doesn’t, the omens are not good for Sunday’s visitors.

Each of United’s last eight defeats to Newcastle have been to nil and given they have also failed to score in their last two league fixtures against Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, another loss without finding the back of the net could be on the cards.

Barnes to build on Foxes strike

Harvey Barnes has enjoyed a decent run in the Newcastle team, starting the last three Premier League games, and he grabbed his sixth goal of the season in Monday’s win at former club Leicester.

Those six goals have come from just nine starts and with fellow winger Anthony Gordon said to be closing in on a return to fitness, Barnes will be keen to deliver another strong performance to stake his claim for a regular spot in the starting XI.

That could lead to the 27-year-old netting on Sunday, as he does have previous when facing United, scoring against them in his Leicester days.