Man United v Newcastle: Hosts to coast against weakened Toon

Man United have made a strong recovery since losing their opening Premier League game; they made it five wins on the bounce by winning at Liverpool last time out.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men are understandable 1/2 favourites to beat Newcastle in their next game, with both sides set to rest their big names.

United have the stronger squad, however, and will be fielding players good enough to make the Newcastle first-team as internationals like Javier Hernandez, Tom Cleverley and Anderson are all likely to feature.

Mexican striker Hernandez is a 7/2 shot to score the opening goal of the game which is an excellent price, as is the 7/1 on offer for promising talent Nick Powell to achieve the same feat.

Newcastle haven’t won at Old Trafford since 1972 which deems their massive 11/2 price-tag still too short; they’d need to field their strongest side to win here and this just isn’t feasible given their involvement in five competitions this year.

United have won four of their last six home games with the Magpies whilst also keeping a clean sheet and, given the quality in depth at their disposal, the 5/4 on offer for them not to concede here offers great value, as does the win to nil at 13/8.

The Red Devils’ tendency to keep Newcastle at bay on home turf also makes them to win with a one-goal handicap a fantastic bet in this one. They’re 11/8 to beat Newcastle by two or more goals; a bet you would have collected on in the four aforementioned wins from the past six Old Trafford meetings.

The wincast market also offers some intriguing prices. A goal from Hernandez coupled with a United win pays out 11/10, whereas the same scenario involving Danny Welbeck is available at 11/8. Both players should feature here, but the Mexican’s superior strikers’ instincts should see him find the back of the Newcastle net.

All odds and markets accurate as of time and date of publication