Man Utd (H) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction

After three weeks away, Premier League football returns to St James' Park - and it's a big one.

Newcastle United take on Manchester United in mammoth top-four tussle, giving us the chance to leapfrog the Red Devils and inflict revenge for that Carabao Cup final defeat last month.

They got the better of us at Wembley, as experience, quality and that little bit of luck needed all went in their favour that day, but there's plenty of reasons to believe heading into this one.

Firstly, we come into this one full of confidence, boosted by back-to-back wins before the international break. We've been strong at home all season, but have a different dynamic in attack now the brilliant Alexander Isak is fit, with his pace, direct dribbling and ice-cool finishing proving exactly why we pulled the trigger on a club-record deal last summer.

St James' Park will be rocking and Eddie Howe's 'annoying' Mags will be out for blood. I don't think this group need extra motivation to give 100%, snap into tackles, press from the off, but our Wembley heartache will only fuel the fire that exists in this loveable Newcastle squad.

Forgetting the final, this is a huge chance to make another statement in our top-four pursuit, as a win over Man Utd will send us third at the start of a hectic month and in a brilliant position to secure Champions League football ahead of three straight away games. Let's get into them.

Team news

Miguel Almiron (thigh) remains out and Joelinton is back from a two-game ban, meanwhile Man Utd midfielder Casemiro is suspended after picking up his second red card of the season last month.

Anthony Gordon is facing a late fitness test, but all concerns over the international break were met with good news from Eddie Howe yesterday, as the likes of Nick Pope, Sven Botman, Fabian Schar, Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson have been passed fit.

For the visitors, Marcus Rashford and Marcel Sabitzer are expected to play despite issues over the break, but there'll be no Christian Eriksen or Alejandro Garnacho.

Predicted line ups

(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Willock – Murphy, Isak, Joelinton.

I'm almost certain Joelinton will come into the side now he's available again. The question is, who drops out to make room for the big Brazilian?

I can't see Howe changing the midfield three - who've combined well in his absence and played well individually - so I can't help but wonder if Saint-Maximin will make way down the left. It would be harsh, as he was our most threatening player when the two sides last met and caused havoc in our last home game against Wolves, I just feel he could be used as an impact player if we're chasing the game.

Howe may also consider the fact he struggled to protect Dan Burn at Wembley, leaving the left-back exposed against the tricky Antony; who pulled his pants down on a couple of occasions in that first half.

On the right, I expect Jacob Murphy to keep his place after he created a host of big chances in an impressive display at Nottingham Forest. He's taken his chance in Almiron's absence and deserves another shot in attack.

Prediction

I really fancy us for this one. They aren't the same side without Casemiro and got lucky in their last game, only seeing off Fulham in the FA Cup thanks to two second half red cards.

That aside, we come into this with fire in our bellies, back-to-back wins and real belief that a top-four finish is well within our reach. Isak to cause havoc, Joelinton to dominate on his return and our midfield to come out on top.

Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Man Utd

HWTL!