Newcastle United have already comfortably beaten Manchester United this season but that was in the Carabao Cup with much-changed sides.
Tomorrow the two teams meet in the Premier League and while Newcastle will feel they're playing Erik ten Hag's men at exactly the right time, there's no room for complacency.
Both teams are coming into the game having picked up draws in the Champions League albeit in very different circumstances.
Newcastle were fleeced in the dying embers of the game by a VAR decision that has had pundits and journalists scratching their heads since it happened, whereas Man United twice blew a two-goal lead to end the game 3-3 with Galatasaray.
One thing that has been quite evident all season as far as Manchester United are concerned, is that Andre Onana is the very definition of a dodgy 'keeper.
He's made more mistakes this season than most goalkeepers make in their career and he was once again responsible for their downfall midweek.
It's therefore likely safe to assume that his confidence is shot to bits right now and Newcastle should be looking to take full advantage.
The message coming from Eddie Howe for Saturday night's game should be "shoot on sight". It's almost inevitable that Onana will spill a shot or do something that will gift one of our boys a chance.
The more pressure we can put Onana under in terms of shots and our usual press, the more chances we'll create. Alexander Isak was quick to react to Gianluigi Donnarumma's spilled save on Tuesday, so if he's in the mood again he can bag another goal or two on Saturday night.
PL | GD | PTS | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Liverpool
|
12 | 16 | 31 |
2 |
Manchester City
|
12 | 5 | 23 |
3 |
Chelsea
|
12 | 9 | 22 |
4 |
Arsenal
|
12 | 9 | 22 |
5 |
Brighton
|
12 | 5 | 22 |
6 |
Tottenham Hotspur
|
12 | 14 | 19 |
7 |
Nottingham Forest
|
12 | 2 | 19 |
8 |
Aston Villa
|
12 | 0 | 19 |
9 |
Fulham
|
12 | 0 | 18 |
10 |
Newcastle United
|
12 | 0 | 18 |
11 |
Brentford
|
12 | 0 | 17 |
12 |
Manchester United
|
12 | 0 | 16 |
13 |
Bournemouth
|
12 | -1 | 15 |
14 |
West Ham United
|
12 | -4 | 15 |
15 |
Everton
|
12 | -7 | 11 |
16 |
Leicester
|
12 | -8 | 10 |
17 |
Wolves
|
12 | -8 | 9 |
18 |
Ipswich
|
12 | -10 | 9 |
19 |
Crystal Palace
|
12 | -7 | 8 |
20 |
Southampton
|
12 | -15 | 4 |