Talking to BetVictor, Michael Owen has made his weekly predictions for the Premier League.
The former Magpie and Red Devil has selected Manchester United for a 2-1 win on Boxing day over Newcastle. This was his prediction in full.
United need to bounce back after a horror show at Vicarage Road although the game did signal the return of Paul Pogba who came off the bench and looked fit and sharp on his return from injury.
I expect the French international to start against a Newcastle side who are unbeaten in eight at home but who continue to struggle to create opportunities on the road. Steve Bruce has done an excellent job in getting his side into the top half of the table at Christmas and they will leapfrog Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side with a win at Old Trafford.
We didn’t expect that Michael Owen would pick Newcastle to win at Old Trafford. Last weekend, he had us down for a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace. He was incorrect in the result, but was accurate that both sides would struggle for goals.
This time he has Man U eeking out a close victory after their poor display at Watford last weekend. We also expect that Paul Pogba will get his first start since September.
While our home form is excellent, our recent away form has been a bit inconsistent. Though it’s been far from dire. We have won two and lost two in our last four while we’ve scored five and conceded five.
Our struggle to create opportunities, as Michael puts it, is not limited to just away matches. It’s something that we are likely to have to contend for the rest of the season.
Most pundits seem to think we’ll lose at Old Trafford. That seems to be the safe pick to make.
However, we’ve not been very impressed with Manchester United this season. While they have the quality to take all three points, we think Newcastle will have the determination to do the same.
33 comments so far
IrishRob
Dec 26, 2019 at 1:53 AM
Comment #1As Elton John once said: The bisch is back!
IrishRob
Dec 26, 2019 at 1:55 AM
Comment #2Happy Christmas Ed, hope, happy Christmas everyone even BallSac.
Munster Mag
Dec 26, 2019 at 2:22 AM
Comment #3But Michael Owen is a cun*. Does this not count for anything? 🙂
lesh
Dec 26, 2019 at 2:51 AM
Comment #4Two points
Neil’s suggesting that as we’re sitting mid-table at the minute, incoming transfers are unlikely – does that thought of thinking make him a monster…… or a realist?
lesh
Dec 26, 2019 at 3:00 AM
Comment #5Martoon
It’s likely that it’s you’ that’s barking up the wrong tree because Jib freely admits his job is online so he obviously knows all the tricks.
Yer man’s claimed to have worked in var nigh every job under the sun …..!
lesh
Dec 26, 2019 at 3:02 AM
Comment #6@2
Correction
…… does that thought of thinking make him [Neil] doomster … or a realist?
Doomsters aren’t monsters.
c-dog
Dec 26, 2019 at 7:37 AM
Comment #7I honestly think we’ll win today. Bruce has really elevated this bunch to a higher level and when Man U have to control a game against supposed “lesser” opposition they struggle most.
1-2
Shelvey to score
The next Mike Williamson
Dec 26, 2019 at 7:52 AM
Comment #8i liked the look of that team neil posted yesterday. if we play that team we have a chance. the two longstaff, gayle and almiron could provide support for joelinton. i hope he scores. although i think man utd getting beat by watford will work against us. id be happy with a draw and a point closer to safety.
The next Mike Williamson
Dec 26, 2019 at 7:55 AM
Comment #9being away from man utd i even wont mind if we park the bus. a points a point at old trafford.
Tyran21
Dec 26, 2019 at 8:05 AM
Comment #10Sadly, I think this game’s result is based on how many mistakes Man utd defense makes. Newcastle can only hit them on counter attacks and set pieces. I wish Newcastle can press their defense a bit for errors, disrupt their plays though. Might get some result that way, if not I doubt newcastle defense can hold for the full 90mins
lochinvar
Dec 26, 2019 at 8:08 AM
Comment #11Munster#11 (earlier)
Ffs my wife is watching the queen’s speech
Ffs my wife is giving the queen’s speech
Can anyone give me a lift to the match ?
I’m not driving these days
Mad Frog Boom 22
Dec 26, 2019 at 8:41 AM
Comment #12Manu 0 – 22 Toon
Mindshaft
Dec 26, 2019 at 9:17 AM
Comment #13Morning all , hope everyone had a good Xmas ..
Think we can win today, manure looked terrible at Watford and need lots of open space for rashford / James / martial to run into , obviously with our packed defence we should be able to deny them space – going for a 0-2 win
Jib
Dec 26, 2019 at 9:24 AM
Comment #14The big worry for me is Pogba’s return from injury
He seems to play better for OGS than previous
Man U managers
c-dog
Dec 26, 2019 at 9:24 AM
Comment #15Tyran21
With the great Harry Manure and Aaron Wan Pissaka how could they possibly be prone to error. 130 million pounds worth of Great British talent.
martoon
Dec 26, 2019 at 9:32 AM
Comment #16Ah football talk – thank goodness! I’m normally quite optimistic but it’s difficult to see us getting anything from this especially now Pogba is back. I’d definitely take a draw now.
c-dog
Dec 26, 2019 at 9:35 AM
Comment #17Pogba can be pure poison in that dressing room
His toxicity levels match those found at Chernobyl in the latter half of 86
JohnJ
Dec 26, 2019 at 9:46 AM
Comment #18Cannot say I admire Pogba as a person but would have preferred his re-appearance for Man U after the new year.
A point would be excellent but I’d be over the moon with three!
kennyg33
Dec 26, 2019 at 9:48 AM
Comment #19Just a thought reflecting on Ed’s last post; the last time, many years ago now under Parsnip, we were having a good..ish season Ashley surprised us all and brought in Cisse in January and we pushed on and finished 5th.
There’s always the chance someone has a brain in the boardroom and makes the same move this January.
Our lass gets mad at me for being the forever optimist but without a glimmer of optimism how can any of us ever turn up every week to watch in hope – just a thought. It would make a great Christmas pressie off the fat man.
Munster Mag
Dec 26, 2019 at 9:49 AM
Comment #20Pogba’s running power should only be an issue if we don’t sit deep, which I’m sure we will. Longstaff could do with a big game. St max is a disaster for us but at least it stops him touting his skills in front of them and making them bid for him in the summer. I like Bruce but until we get more attacking players I never feel confident that we can win. 2-1 to the prawn brigade 🙁
kennyg33
Dec 26, 2019 at 9:50 AM
Comment #21Ps – I fancy us for a 2:1 win today – go 2 up in first hour then sit back and cling on conceding in the last 5 mins
Jib
Dec 26, 2019 at 9:56 AM
Comment #22kenny33 an optimist like me
I like the cut of your jib
(see what I did there ?)
Jib
Dec 26, 2019 at 9:58 AM
Comment #23Don’t forget all of today’s matches are on Amazon prime
Jib
Dec 26, 2019 at 10:15 AM
Comment #24Apparently Lilo ended up booking a flight London to Mancunia – paying top dollar
Greater love for his footy team hath no man
I hope the lads do it for Lilongwe Geordie.
Jib
Dec 26, 2019 at 10:23 AM
Comment #25The last time NUFC did the double over Man U was 1931 !!!!!!
Jib
Dec 26, 2019 at 10:28 AM
Comment #26For all the hype about tea-time’s game , Bruce will see
Everton at SJP on Saturday afternoon as more winnable
so folk shouldn’t be surprised if there are a few selection
surprises today.
Moonraker15
Dec 26, 2019 at 10:30 AM
Comment #27Glad I enrolled with Amazon prime, whilst negotiating a 30% reduction in my Sky monthly subs. Anyone thinking their Sky sports Bill is too high, now is the time to ask them for a reduction, as matches being shown elsewhere nowadays!
Prime have loads of games including ours today!
My forecast 2-2
Moonraker15
Dec 26, 2019 at 10:33 AM
Comment #28Jib
Everton will be buoyed by the new manager plus big Duncan!
I think that’s a very difficult fixture for us now!
Munster Mag
Dec 26, 2019 at 10:38 AM
Comment #29Go Lilongwe!
fairscup
Dec 26, 2019 at 10:43 AM
Comment #30I will second that (Jib @ 22) and for everyone who makes the trip today.
Just a fan
Dec 26, 2019 at 11:09 AM
Comment #31Someone gave me Shay giivens book.Any given saturday.
I thought he was overated.no better than Harper.
Plus when he got dropped he cried.well I’m off to Celtic if you don’t pick me.
So I wonder if I will change my opinion after reading it.
count
Dec 26, 2019 at 11:21 AM
Comment #32If you pay for sky sports, you are endorsing Ashley as much as people who attend games.
Lindisfarne
Dec 26, 2019 at 12:03 PM
Comment #33Got to play Almiron in behind the striker again.
Not sure away from home Bruce will play two in front of him and could play three central midfielders.
Shelvey or Hayden in the holding role, whoever he picks he will have half an eye on Saturdays game.