English Premier
2025-12-26 - Manchester United vs Newcastle United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Friday 26th December 2025 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Manchester United
Injuries will always be a factor in the sporting world, but sometimes it is about the timing of those issues which can determine the direction a season can take. Manchester United have lost some key players to the African Cup of Nations so the last thing they have needed is an injury suffered by Bruno Fernandes, the Captain who has virtually been available every week since he joined the club.
Losing at Villa Park on Sunday will have only soured the mood a little more for Manchester United who are 7th in the Premier League table, but still only 3 points behind the top four places. The side are back at Old Trafford for this Premier League fixture where Manchester United have a 4-2-2 record in the top flight.
Manchester United have won 2 of the last 8 Premier League games played and they have now suffered a couple of defeats in that run. A poor run at Old Trafford has slowed momentum and Manchester United have failed to win any of the last 3 League games here, while failing to hold into leads in draws with West Ham United and Bournemouth.
Bruno Fernandes may not be able to play during this festive period and that feels like a significant blow with Kobbie Mainoo considered doubtful. Casemiro is back from a suspension, but the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo are missing.
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe will have been really pleased with the first half performance last Saturday, but Newcastle United were not able to maintain the standard and were held to a 2-2 draw by Chelsea after blowing the 2-0 lead at St James' Park. The manager did feel his team deserved a Penalty when the lead was still at 2-1, but ultimately it is more dropped points in what has been an erratic first half of the season.
They are 11th in the Premier League table, but 23 points means Newcastle United are still in touch with the Champions League places. Putting a strong run together will see The Magpies make strides up the League table, but that will involve improving the disappointing 1-3-4 away record where Newcastle United have scored 7 goals and conceded 10.
Newcastle United have won 1 of the last 4 games in all competitions, although that victory has taken them through to the League Cup Semi Final again. In the last away game played, Newcastle United were incredibly disappointing in the 1-0 loss at Sunderland and they have lost 5 of the last 7 away fixtures in all competitions.
Nick Pope could be available to travel, but Newcastle United have been hit hard by defensive injuries and the expectation is that those issues will not begin to clear up until early January.
Head to Head
Newcastle United won both Premier League games against Manchester United last season.
Prior to the defeat at the end of December 2024, Manchester United had been unbeaten in 9 League games at Old Trafford against this opponent.
Prediction
Many people have slammed the Premier League decision to have only one match played on Boxing Day, but it could be a good watch for the neutrals.
For the fans it is a different story as both Manchester United and Newcastle United look to find a way to earn three important Premier League points. However, there is little doubt that both teams are suffering through serious injury crises right now which leaves both looking vulnerable and also makes this a very hard game to call.
Bruno Fernandes had to be withdrawn at half time in the 2-1 loss at Aston Villa and the Manchester United Captain is going to be a big miss. It certainly comes at a bad time with the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo missing out as important attacking options, while Manchester United continue to use an inexperienced trio in defensive areas.
Despite missing their Captain in the second half at Villa Park, Ruben Amorim will be encouraged by some of the football his team were able to play and he did feel Manchester United deserved more than they got. Casemiro is back to give the manager another midfield option, but he does have some big decisions to make and Ruben Amorim will want his team to test a Newcastle United team that have been poor travellers this season.
Add in the fact that Newcastle United are missing a huge number of key defensive options and Manchester United should still be able to create chances and cause problems.
However, the pace of the Newcastle United attack is going to pose a lot of problems for a Manchester United team that continue to be sloppy at the back.
Sometimes it feels a little too easy for teams to get at Manchester United and that is something Eddie Howe will be looking to exploit.
The performance at the Stadium of Light was really poor, but in general Newcastle United have at least created chances away from home.
Defensively it has been very difficult for them to contain opponents and this Boxing Day fixture looks like one that will finish with at least three goals shared out. The price for the home win has been on the drift since the Bruno Fernandes injury, but it feels like there is still enough shown by Manchester United to believe they can create big chances.
At the same time, Newcastle United should be very effective when they get forward and backing at least three goals to be shared out looks the right approach to take.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Manchester United 2-2 Newcastle United
