Newcastle vs Sheffield United tips and predictions: Magpies to hand Blades another painful lesson

Does anyone want to play in Europe? That is a serious question.

Tottenham, Manchester United, Newcastle and West Ham are all vying for continental football yet none of these sides can catch any momentum.

Newcastle, who competed in the Champions League earlier this season, would undoubtedly love another stab at Europe and getting a win over Sheffield United this weekend could be pivotal.

As things stand, the Magpies sit seventh in the standings, and trail sixth-placed Manchester United by just three points.

Then again, ninth-placed Chelsea are right behind them – just three points adrift of the Magpies.

The good news is that Newcastle were in decent form. Before losing to Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, Eddie Howe’s men were on a four-match unbeaten run, winning three of those encounters.

Sheffield United could only dream of such numbers. The Blades are on a one-way train to the Championship following a woeful campaign which has so far seen them pick up a measly three victories.

Chris Wilder’s men will take encouragement from the fact they scored twice in a 4-2 defeat at Old Trafford last Wednesday… but then again, who hasn’t scored twice at Old Trafford by this point.

The last meeting between Sheffield United and Newcastle ended in an 8-0 win for the Magpies in South Yorkshire.

We’re backing Howe’s men to register another big success against the Blades. Newcastle in the -2 handicap market should offer decent value as the hosts set their sights on Europe.

 

Team news

Newcastle head into this fixture without Miguel Almiron, Sven Botman, Joelinton, Jamaal Lascelles, Lewis Miley, Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Joe Willock and the suspended Sandro Tonali.

Sheffield also have their issues as they are missing George Baldock, Chris Basham, Tom Davies, John Egan, Daniel Jebbinson, Max Lowe and Rhys Norrington-Davies.

 

Key stats

- Newcastle have won seven of their last eight league games against Sheffield Utd

- Sheffield Utd have lost three of their four PL away games at St James’ Park

- Newcastle beat Sheffield Utd 8-0 in the reverse fixture

- Newcastle have scored in all 17 of their home PL games this season

 

Suggested bets

Newcastle -2 handicap

Newcastle to score in both halves

Over 2.5 goals