Newcastle United vs. Manchester United Prediction: Will Red Devils Triumph?

• Newcastle United are targeting a top-five finish and Champions League soccer

• Manchester United are not really focusing on the EPL at the moment

• Who will come out on top when these two teams meet at St James’ Park?

Newcastle United vs. Manchester United Odds

The odds for Newcastle United vs. Manchester United are provided by the bet365 Sportsbook, which offers Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose

Newcastle United vs. Manchester United Pick

Back Newcastle United to beat Manchester United with a -1.5 Asian handicap. The Magpies can triumph by a two-goal margin or more on Sunday.

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Newcastle United Aiming to Build on Cathartic EFL Cup Triumph

Newcastle United fans are still on cloud nine after their club ended a 55-year domestic trophy drought last month. Their EFL Cup success, which came courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the final, was a cathartic moment for all those who followed Newcastle through thin and thinner in the Mike Ashley era.

Yet Eddie Howe and his players have not dwelt on their Wembley glory. Instead, they almost immediately turned their attention back to the Premier League, where Newcastle are targeting the top-five finish that would return them to the Champions League. 

The Magpies are fifth at present, a point clear of Manchester City in the spot below them. They also have a game in hand on the teams around them, although that clash with Crystal Palace on Wednesday will not be easy. Newcastle have form on their side: in the last 12 rounds of matches, only Liverpool and Palace have picked up more points.

Howe’s men have harnessed that EFL Cup victory when they could easily have switched off after it. The manager’s quiet intensity no doubt helped the players to remain fully focused on the task at hand. 

Things are certainly looking good for Newcastle in the fight for the top five, but they must not get ahead of themselves. They are competing with teams that also have plenty of quality to call upon in Chelsea, Manchester City and Aston Villa. Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion are just about in the conversation too, but few are betting against Newcastle right now.

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Manchester United’s Focus Elsewhere but Must Finish Higher

Manchester United’s bodies will be at St James’ on Sunday, but their minds may well be elsewhere. For Ruben Amorim’s team, the season essentially comes down to the Europa League. A 2-2 draw with Lyon in the first leg of their quarter-final has left the tie in the balance ahead of next Thursday’s conclusion.

Winning that tournament would allow United to salvage something from what has otherwise been a miserable campaign. They exited both the FA Cup and the EFL Cup relatively early on, while United currently sit 13th in the Premier League. A first bottom-half finish since 1990 looks increasingly probable: United are currently eight points adrift of Bournemouth in 10th.

Some would argue that it does not really matter where United finish seeing as they will not qualify for Europe via their league position. But it would be a mistake for Amorim to neglect the bread and butter that is the top flight.

It is unacceptable for a club of United’s stature and financial might to finish anywhere in the bottom half, but 16th would clearly be considerably worse than 11th. United need to be careful, since they are only three points above fifth-bottom heading into the weekend.

It is also important that United try and build some momentum to carry into the summer. This is a club which has struggled for years, but they have plumbed new depths in 2025/26. To help lift the malaise, Amorim’s charges could really do with going on a winning run.

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Newcastle United Are a Better Team Than Manchester United

In the middle of the 1990s, Newcastle United finished as runners-up in the Premier League in back-to-back seasons. The champions on both occasions were Manchester United. In 1995/96, the Red Devils overturned a 10-point deficit at Christmas to snatch the title away from Newcastle, who fell away late on. That really stung the St James’ Park faithful.

Newcastle have never finished above Manchester United in the Premier League era. They will do this season. A win this weekend would move the Magpies 18 points clear of United with 18 points left for the latter to play for. 

Not that Newcastle are merely focused on outperforming United. They have bigger targets in mind, with Howe keen for the Champions League anthem to ring out around St James’ for the 2025/26 campaign.

They were not quite able to outdo them in the 1990s, but there is no doubt that Newcastle are a better team than Manchester United this term. That is one reason to back a home win by a two-goal margin or more via the Asian handicap. But it is not the only one.

United were in action in France as recently as Thursday, so they have had much less time to prepare for this match than Newcastle, both physically and tactically. Howe’s team also have home advantage on their side this weekend, and United have taken just one point from their last three visits to the northeast of England. 

Amorim and his players will also have one eye on the return leg against Lyon. All things considered, Newcastle should win this one reasonably comfortably. 

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How to Watch Newcastle United vs. Manchester United

• Teams: Newcastle United vs. Manchester United

• Location: St James’ Park, Newcastle, England

• Date and Time: Sunday, 13 April 2025, 11:30 AM ET 

• How to Watch: USA Network