BBC Sport pundit on Newcastle United – Is he on the money now? | OneFootball

Some interesting comments from this BBC Sport pundit on Newcastle United.

Chris Sutton speaking ahead of Sunday afternoon’s match.

Newcastle United facing Manchester United at St James’ Park with a 4.30pm kick-off.

Eddie Howe and his Newcastle United players knowing they are guaranteed to remain in a Champions League qualifying position, if getting a victory.

With a win, United will end the weekend in fifth place at worst, at best they could be fourth, three points ahead of fifth and only a point off third, if all other results also went NUFC’s way. Newcastle United will also still have a game in hand on all of their rivals who are fighting for Champions League qualification, that game in hand to be played on Wednesday at home to Palace.

Chris Sutton talking to BBC Sport – 11 April 2025:

“It does feel like Ruben Amorim is steadying the ship at Manchester United but there is nothing much for them to get excited about in the Premier League and it could be a pretty dull end to their domestic campaign, especially because they are finding it difficult to score goals.

“Like Tottenham, [Man] United’s season is hanging on the Europa League now, but their Premier League results still matter for Amorim because he needs to put some credit into the bank going into next season.

“I just can’t see past a Newcastle win here, though. They are one of the teams in this race for the Champions League places and are in great form.

“Now we know the top five are guaranteed to get in, I am confident they will make it.

“It just shows the value of winning the Carabao Cup because it seems like it has given them a big leg up.

“They will have enjoyed themselves celebrating for a few days but now they are focused on making it into the Champions League, which is so important because of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.

“If they make it, it gives them the opportunity to build.

“Prediction: Newcastle United 2 Man U 0”

So is the BBC Sport pundit on the money here?

As Chris Sutton points out, Ruben Amorim has steadied the ship to an extent with Man U, the reality is though, they still aren’t very good. With very defensive dour displays, they have scraped draws at home against Arsenal and Man City in recent times. In their last four Premier League away matches though, Man U have lost to both Spurs and Forest without scoring a goal, carried incredible luck when getting two late goals to scrape a draw with Everton who had dominated most of the match. The only away win for Man U since January was at Leicester, who are losing to everybody at the King Power!

As for Newcastle United, I can’t really disagree with anything the BBC Sport pundit has to say.

Eddie Howe and his side looking to make it five wins in a row and that run of course including the Wembley victory over Liverpool.