Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has backed Newcastle to emerge victorious from today’s top-four clash with Man Utd, believing we’ll come away 2-1 winners at St James’ Park.
He’s expecting a great game and a result that throws the Champions League race wide open, with the visitors at risk of dropping to fifth if a defeat on Tyneside is followed by a Spurs win at Everton on Monday.
Newcastle are coming off the back of two key victories, while Ten Hag’s side – who will be without the suspended Casemiro – have picked up just one point in their last two league games against Liverpool and Southampton.
Merson believes that they have become too ‘reliant on Marcus Rashford’ with the Englishman involved in 41% of their Premier League goals this season.
In his latest piece for Sportskeeda, here’s what Merson had to say ahead of the game:
“What a game! This game could really open it up. If Newcastle win this game, Man United will need to work hard to get into the top four. They could end up in fifth place in the Premier League table by the end of the weekend.
Manchester United aren’t playing well at the moment and they’re very reliant on Marcus Rashford and his goals. Someone else has got to chip in now. They’ve had some results but they aren’t ripping it up. Newcastle are playing at home and a draw isn’t good enough for them. I’m going to go with Newcastle to win this game.
Prediction: Newcastle United 2-1 Manchester United.”
