The Premier League is back after the international break and Newcastle travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United tomorrow.
Paul Merson has had a go at predicting the weekend’s scorelines for SportsKeeda.
Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has resumed his weekly predictions column for the BBC.
They have both predicted a fairly grim afternoon for Steve Bruce at the home of one of his former clubs, rounded off by a 3-0 defeat.
“I’d expect Cristiano Ronaldo to score in his return to the Premier League,” wrote Merson. “The Newcastle game is a great way to get Ronaldo started at the club.
“Newcastle are going to sit back and absorb pressure and Manchester United will be able to put balls into the box for Ronaldo. It’s going to be one-way traffic for most of the game, and I’d expect Ronaldo to score.
“If I was a Manchester United fan, I’d actually be worried if he doesn’t score. United should be able to blow Newcastle away this weekend. I hope Ronaldo scores a hat-trick – it won’t be easy, but I wouldn’t put it past him.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-0 Newcastle United
Lawrenson’s column read: “Newcastle badly need a win, but Old Trafford, on the day Ronaldo makes his return, is not the time or place for them to get it.
“There is no doubt Ronaldo’s arrival improved Manchester United. It will be a case of ‘you stay up there, we will get the ball to you’. Why wouldn’t you do that with Ronaldo in your side, when he is so good in the air?
“If he gets the service you’d expect from the players behind, he is going to score plenty – and he’ll probably be taking every penalty, free-kick. Lawro’s prediction: 3-0.”
All the talk in the build up to the game has been about Ronaldo and Newcastle fans could be forgiven for fearing the worst.
But the longer they hold out, the more impatient Old Trafford will get and that will only help.
There might well be some changes to the side given Miguel Almiron’s current availability, and the key is stopping the service to Ronaldo.
It would be a thrill to ruin United’s party, and prove the pundits wrong who think Newcastle are in for a painful afternoon at Old Trafford.
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