For the first time in the Premier League era, Boxing Day will feature just one top-flight fixture — but it’s a blockbuster, as Manchester United host Newcastle United at Old Trafford.
Historically, United have dominated December 26 in the Premier League, recording a competition-best 22 wins, while Newcastle’s 16 Boxing Day defeats are tied for the most by any club. However, recent form and momentum suggest that past records may count for little in Friday’s showdown.
Check out The Betting Professionals’s analysis for the Manchester United vs Newcastle Premier League 2025-26 match on Gameweek 18 with top football betting sites and predictions.
Manchester United vs Newcastle Premier League 2025-26 Gameweek 18 Match Details
Date: Friday, 26th December 2025/Saturday, 27th December 2025
Time: 08:00 PM (GMT) / 01:30 AM (IST)
Venue: Old Trafford
Manchester United vs Newcastle Match Preview Premier League 2025-26 Gameweek 18 Match
Christmas cheer was in short supply for the red half of Manchester last weekend, as a former Manchester City man delivered a ruthless reminder of his quality and dented Manchester United’s European ambitions.
A scintillating brace from Morgan Rogers either side of a Matheus Cunha equaliser condemned Aston Villa to a 2–1 win over Ruben Amorim’s side. The defeat ended United’s four-game unbeaten run and marked just their second loss since early October. More damaging still was the sight of captain Bruno Fernandes hobbling off with a hamstring injury — a nightmare scenario for his manager.
United sit seventh in the Premier League, but history without Fernandes is bleak: since 2022–23, they are winless in seven league games without him, losing six and drawing one. The warning signs continue, with no wins in their last three home league matches and no clean sheet in 10.
Newcastle United, meanwhile, failed to keep a derby clean sheet — ironically due to their own man Nick Woltemade — but the German striker made amends with a rapid brace against Chelsea. Despite dominating the first half, Eddie Howe’s side again showed fragility, surrendering a 2–0 lead to draw 2–2.
The Magpies trail United by three points and four places, stuck in the bottom half amid erratic form (six wins, six losses, five draws). Once defensively solid, they are now without a clean sheet in 10 and have managed just one away league win all season. Still, their away defence remains respectable — only Arsenal and Crystal Palace have conceded fewer on the road — and almost exactly a year ago, Howe masterminded a memorable 2–0 victory at Old Trafford.
Manchester United vs Newcastle Team News - Premier League 2025-26 Gameweek 18 Match
Manchester United Team News
Manchester United will be without their most influential figure for Newcastle United’s visit, as Bruno Fernandes is sidelined with a soft-tissue injury that Ruben Amorim admits will rule the captain out for “a while.” With Kobbie Mainoo also injured, United are light in midfield.
Casemiro’s return from suspension is timely and he is expected to partner Manuel Ugarte, but Amorim’s defensive options are stretched. Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire remain sidelined, while Noussair Mazraoui is away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
United’s right flank is also weakened with Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo on AFCON duty, but there is still depth up front. Benjamin Šeško, Matheus Cunha, Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount are all available to lead the attack.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup
Lammens; Yoro, Heaven, Shaw; Dalot, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu; Cunha, Mount; Šeško.
Newcastle Team News
Newcastle United remain severely depleted at the back ahead of their trip west. Both Tino Livramento and Kieran Trippier are still sidelined at right-back, meaning another fill-in role for Lewis Miley, although Eddie Howe has admitted the teenager must be managed carefully due to a minor hamstring issue.
Defensive absentees continue to pile up, with Dan Burn, Emil Krafth, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles all unavailable. In goal, Nick Pope remains a doubt, with Aaron Ramsdale set to continue if Pope is not cleared in time.
Further forward, William Osula is ruled out through injury, but Joelinton is edging closer to a return after three straight games on the bench. Anthony Elanga could also get the nod against former club Manchester United, potentially replacing Jacob Murphy.
Newcastle Predicted Lineup
Ramsdale; Miley, Thiaw, Schär, Hall; Guimarães, Tonali, Ramsey; Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon.
Manchester United vs Newcastle Betting Odds - Premier League 2025-26 Gameweek 18 Match
In the table below, check out the latest betting odds for the premier league 2025-26 Gameweek 18 match between Manchester United vs Newcastle, set to take place at Old Trafford.
Match Result | Odds on 1xBet |
Manchester United will win the match | 2.73 |
Newcastle will win the match | 2.63 |
Match will be drawn | 3.7 |
In the 1X2 market on 1xBet, Newcastle United are slight favourites at odds of 2.63, while Manchester United are close behind at 2.73. The draw is priced at 3.70, underlining how finely balanced the contest is expected to be.
Manchester United vs Newcastle - Recommended Bets by TBP
Bet 1: Both Teams to score - Yes @ 1.49 at 1xBet
Bet 2: Total Goals over 3.25 - @ 2.2 at 1xBet
Manchester United vs Newcastle Match Prediction
The absence of Bruno Fernandes is a major blow for Manchester United, who rely heavily on his creativity. The return of Casemiro should add some midfield stability, but the attacking burden now falls on Matheus Cunha to spark the final third.
Newcastle United’s away form remains patchy, yet they tend to rise to this fixture and showed real promise in their high-tempo 2–2 draw with Chelsea.
All signs point towards goals and drama at Old Trafford.
Prediction: Man Utd 2–2 Newcastle
Find out here the 500 Rs signup bonus sites
Need quick and seamless transactions for live betting? Check out our list on Top UPI Betting Sites —perfect for instant deposits and easy withdrawals.
