Overview
- Kick-off is 8pm on Friday, December 26, with live coverage on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League in the only Premier League fixture of the day.
- Manchester United are without captain Bruno Fernandes after his Villa Park injury and also miss Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui due to the Africa Cup of Nations, though Casemiro returns from suspension.
- Newcastle travel with a depleted back line as Sven Botman, Dan Burn, Emil Krafth and Kieran Trippier are ruled out, with further squad doubts reported in recent team news.
- Recent trends suggest goals are likely as both teams have scored in nine of their last ten matches, yet head-to-head form favours Newcastle with five wins in the past six meetings.
- Bookmakers have rolled out Boxing Day offers, including Sky Bet’s 50-1 new-customer promotion on a goal being scored, while pundit Chris Sutton has predicted a tight game and a 1-0 away win for Newcastle.