The start of festive Premier League action means a Christmas round of Mark Lawrenson’s BBC predictions column.
The former Liverpool defender has offered his verdict on how he thinks Newcastle’s home game against Manchester United will go on Monday night.
Lawrenson has been pretty damning about Newcastle’s chances of winning the game and staying in the Premier League despite their improvement under Eddie Howe.
Lawrenson’s prediction
“Eddie Howe has improved Newcastle, but not enough to get them many more points than they already had. Yes, he brought them their first win of the season but they are still losing a lot of games. They have left themselves a mammoth task to stay up.
“If they carry on picking up points at the same rate as they have been under Howe, they will end up on 24 points and will be relegated. I know they have got the January transfer window to improve the team but getting that right will be a challenge in itself, and they have put themselves under huge pressure to recruit properly.
“They can’t hang about either because they have got huge games against Watford and Leeds in the middle of that month. I do think this game will end in another defeat for the Magpies too.
“Yes, they were competitive at Anfield, and they also had a big decision go against them against Manchester City, but the facts are they were just not good enough defensively to get anything out of either game. I’m expecting a similar story here. Lawro’s prediction: Newcastle 0-2 Manchester United.”
Lawrenson has gone in two-footed on Newcastle here and it seems like bizarre timing given they have not been cut adrift in the relegation battle.
They have had a tough run of fixtures under Howe and played well in all their games. United are a team Newcastle can get a result out of, especially if they have lost some match fitness and sharpness with their Covid outbreak.
Lawrenson’s fellow pundit Paul Merson has predicted a 1-1 draw and that feels fairer, although this will of course be a tough assignment for Howe and his players.
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