Charles Jackson
Manchester United’s chance of qualifying for European competition next season will take center stage on Wednesday when they face Newcastle United.
United are in eighth place and three points behind sixth-placed Newcastle, who occupy the Premier League’s sole qualifying place for next season’s UEFA Europa Conference League. This will also not be the only relevant Wednesday clash in the race for the Conference League – Chelsea are seventh and equal on points with Newcastle, but can remain in contention when facing Brighton and Hove Albion.
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How to watch and odds
- Date: Wednesday, May 15 | Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Old Trafford – Stretford, England
- TELEVISION: USA Network | Live broadcast: Fubo (Try it for free)
- Chances: Manchester United +175; Draw +290; Newcastle United +135
Plots
United are approaching the finish line of a chaotic season, with recent results only adding to their problems on the pitch. They have won just once in their last eight league games, and their only victory came against relegated Sheffield United. It hasn’t been a goalless period – they’ve scored 13 in that time – but the fact they’ve gone scoreless in their last two games, combined with the fact they’ve conceded 17 goals, adds an extra layer. of worry for a season full of them.
While a defeat on Wednesday does not mathematically exclude them from European competition next season, they are not the first to qualify for the Conference League and as a result would miss out on a continental tournament for the first time in a decade.
It doesn’t help that United go into the clash with Newcastle exhausted. Bruno Fernandes is expected to miss this game due to a knee problem that has kept him out of United’s last two games, while Scott McTominay and a long list of others have been out injured for some time. Erik ten Hag will still have some of his usual players such as Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford to rely on, but they will need to really overcome United’s brief goalless spell to impress on Wednesday.
Prediction
Newcastle have won three of their last five matches and scored more than four goals on three of those occasions, meaning things could go back in their favor on Wednesday against a defensively shaky United. The home team may be able to score at some point, but it may not be enough to win. Choice: Manchester United 1, Newcastle United 3
