Manchester United vs Newcastle Predictions

• Manchester United are unbeaten in their last nine games, winning seven.
• Newcastle are winless in three and have a number of selection issues.
• Manchester United have scored at least twice in each of their last 10 games.
• Marcus Rashford has six goals in his last six games.

Wembley date for Ten Hag and Howe

Manchester United and Newcastle United will battle it out for the first piece of domestic silverware on offer this season on Sunday as the top four rivals go head-to-head in the EFL Cup final.

The Old Trafford side are seeking their first trophy since the 2016/17 season, when they won this trophy and the Europa League, while Newcastle’s own title drought stretches way back to 1969.

The Red Devils face a quick turnaround as they were in action in the Europa League on Thursday as they claimed a 2-1 win over Barcelona.

Newcastle arrive with a selection headache as first choice keeper Nick Pope is suspended, meaning Loris Karius is in line for a debut and his first outing for an English side since a disastrous display in the 2018 Champions League final for Liverpool. The Magpies will be able to call on key midfielder Bruno Guimaraes after he served a suspension of his own but Anthony Gordon is cup-tied and Emil Krafth is injured, while Joelinton and Joe Willock are considered doubts.

Ten Hag’s men the form side

Manchester United may have had a quick turnaround but fatigue is unlikely to be a major factor in this cup final and they are clearly the form team of these two sides right now.

The Old Trafford outfit should take a huge deal of confidence from that win over Barcelona as they came from a goal down to win the game and the tie as they extended their unbeaten streak to nine games across all competitions (W7, D2).

Erik ten Hag’s men look lethal in attack right now and they have scored at least twice in 10 consecutive games, while Newcastle have perhaps hit a bit of a rough patch and are winless in three (DD2, L1).

With the Manchester giants rated at odds-against to win in 90 minutes, they look good value to claim a win and pick up the first of four possible trophies this season without needing extra time.

Rashford remains the danger man

Marcus Rashford was unable to add to his goals tally against Barca but he could prove to be the key for his side regardless on Sunday.

The England international has six goals in his last six games and has enjoyed this competition this season, registering five goals and two assists in five appearances.

A 2-1 victory for Ten Hag’s men looks a reasonable option in the correct score market in what is likely to be a fiercely contested final. As mentioned earlier, the Manchester outfit have scored at least twice in each of their last 10 games but they also have only two clean sheets in their last four games, so Newcastle should be able to find a way through at Wembley even if they do end up missing out on the trophy.

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