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Festive football dominates our thinking this weekend, with Premier League matches played on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Fans have some thrilling matches on the programme, including Manchester United versus Newcastle United at the Theatre of Dreams. The locals aim to make home advantage count and grab an important three points.
The Red Devils and Magpies have served up some memorable meetings over the years, scoring a combined seven goals in two games last term. Newcastle left Old Trafford with three precious points last December thanks to an excellent 2-0 away win. Everyone at the club, from Eddie Howe down to the fans, would dearly love a repeat performance here.
The leading online bookmakers offer over 100 pre-match and live betting markets, including match-winner, both teams to score, handicap, totals, and more. There's something for everyone and a bet to suit all budgets. Experienced football betting writer Frank Monkhouse uses the latest stats and trends available at Flashscore to find three bets worth following.
Man Utd v Newcastle tips
Newcastle or draw @ 8/15 (bet365)
Over 10.5 corners @ 1/1 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Entertainment at the Theatre of Dreams
In the first of my Man Utd v Newcastle Premier League predictions for Flashscore, we're betting on the match to produce more than two goals. With the total goals market, the traders working at the bet365 app set the line at 2.5, and you must predict if there will be more (over) or fewer (under) goals scored. Expecting a goal-fest, we're backing over.
As the total goals market covers both teams combined, the winning side and who scores the goals aren't important. A 4-0 home win for Man Utd pays the same as a 3-3 draw or a 2-1 away win. As long as we see three or more goals, you'll be celebrating a profit. The latest stats on the Flashscore app give us reason to be confident, especially the head-to-head.
When these Premier League rivals last clashed, we saw Newcastle claim a stunning 4-1 win before their adoring fans at St James' Park back in April of this year. That was a surprise to many, but it didn't catch followers of the trends off guard. Did you know that a bet on over 2.5 goals would've earned you a profit in two of the last three meetings, and in three of five?
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 4/6 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Man Utd v Newcastle ends with three or more goals scored, your bet wins.
Magpies win or draw
For our second pick, we're taking the visitors to leave Old Trafford with at least a point. Unlike the match-winner market that gives players a one-in-three chance of bagging a profit, we're playing the double chance option on the bet365 app. When taking this approach, you're betting on Newcastle United to win or draw at the home of their rivals.
Victory for Newcastle is settled as a winning bet, as is the draw. Again, we're placing our trust in the numbers. Incredibly, Newcastle beat Man Utd home and away last season. The Magpies left this venue with all three points, little under a year ago, thanks to a 2-0 result. Isak scored the opener inside four minutes, before Joelinton doubled the advantage.
By going back further in the head-to-head, we make an interesting discovery. Newcastle have lost only one of their last six meetings with Friday's opponents, a run stretching back to April 2023. In that time, the battlers from St James' Park have won five times, including 3-0 and 2-0 wins at this venue. Bettors will get a strong run for their money in this renewal.
Tip: Newcastle win or draw @ 8/15 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Anything other than a home win for Man Utd will boost your betting balance.
Bet over in the total corners
Our third and final pick under the bright lights of Old Trafford on Friday evening comes from the total corners market. Like the total goals, the traders decide the line, and you simply predict if the final number of corners registered by both clubs will be over or under that number. Past meetings have had many corners, encouraging us to gamble on the overs.
If you choose to follow this prediction on Boxing Day, it's essential to understand how the bet works. The outcome of the corner isn't important to your wager. If Newcastle take a corner and score a header in a crowded box or a Man Utd corner is easily cleared, they both count. You're risking your stake on the number of corners awarded by the officials.
Looking at past meetings, in that stunning 4-1 win for Newcastle over Man Utd, referee Chris Kavanagh awarded seven corners for the winning team, and two for the losing side. In the previous meeting at Old Trafford, there were five corners in total. Digging deeper, the last six games combined gave up 9, 5, 18, 10, 7, and 11 corners for both teams combined.
Tip: Over 10.5 corners @ 1/1 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You're looking for Man Utd v Newcastle United to produce more than ten corners.
Man Utd v Newcastle
Newcastle win @ 17/10 (bet365)
Discover the Best Betting Bonuses
If you're looking to take advantage of this week's Premier League matches for your bets, Flashscore is here to help. On our betting bonuses page, you'll find some of the best promotions and bonus codes on the market.
The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.