Match preview: Newcastle v United

The 16:30 BST kick-off is sandwiched between our two key Europa League quarter-final ties against Lyon and, following the 2-2 draw in the first leg in France, clearly the timing of such a tough examination in the north east is not ideal.

The Magpies are chasing a place in next season's Champions League, with their current position of fifth enough to achieve that aim in 2025/26.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of the St James' Park encounter at the weekend...

HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW

The tussle on Tyneside is live on Sky Sports in the UK, kicking off at 16:30 BST, but you can also get exclusive build-up on MUTV from 15:25 BST.

Danny Simpson, who played for both clubs, will be among our team of pundits to help provide analysis and reaction to the contest. During the game, the United App is perfect for not only following the action but enjoying a second-screen experience.

We provide live radio commentary, plus text updates and Opta-fed stats to keep you across all the goings on. Highlights will be available across our platforms from two hours after the final whistle.

TEAM NEWS

Kobbie Mainoo made a successful return as a substitute, during the draw at Lyon, and will hope his bright cameo performance has put him in contention to start on Sunday.

Luke Shaw is being eased back after his lengthy lay-off, as he was an unused substitute for the second successive match. Mason Mount came on again but Matthijs de Ligt and Toby Collyer did not make the trip due to injury.

Amad is working hard in the gym as he targets a return before the season is out but Lisandro Martinez will not play again this term.

Centre-backs Jonny Evans and Ayden Heaven have also been sidelined.

As for the Magpies, Anthony Gordon is doubtful, as he has been recovering after being hurt on England duty, but top scorer Alexander Isak should be fine to lead the attack.

Defenders Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles and Lewis Hall remain unavailable and there is a question mark over Joe Willock's fitness.

FORM GUIDE

United have lost one of our last six league matches but the only two wins in this spell were against Ipswich Town and Leicester City.

The Reds have shown some fortitude of late and are looking to prevent Newcastle doing the double over us for the first time since 1930/31, following the 2-0 home reverse in our final outing of 2024.

The Magpies made it four wins on the spin, in all competitions, with a facile 3-0 victory at Championship-bound Leicester on Monday night.

One of these victories was the Carabao Cup final triumph over Liverpool which has undoubtedly provided a major morale boost by ending the club's long trophy drought. In the last 15 Premier League fixtures, no side has won more times than the 11 victories they have posted.

However, while St James' Park is considered such a fortress, Eddie Howe's men lost a game there in each of the first three months of the year, if you count the penalty shootout defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Emirates FA Cup.

DID YOU KNOW?

St James' Park has not been a happy hunting ground for the Reds recently. We have won on only two of our last eight league visits to the north-east venue but this will be our 30th game there in the competition.

Overall, we have taken all three points on almost half (14) of the fixtures and our most recent triumph was a big one, 4-1, behind closed doors in 2020.

Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes both scored on that occasion.

This will also be our first domestic league game to feature semi-automated offside technology.

RIVALS WATCH

SATURDAY 12 APRIL

Manchester City v Crystal Palace (12:30 BST)
Brighton & Hove Albion v Leicester City 
Nottingham Forest v Everton
Southampton v Aston Villa
Arsenal v Brentford (17:30 BST)

SUNDAY 13 APRIL

Chelsea v Ipswich Town (14:00 BST)
Liverpool v West Ham United (14:00 BST)
Wolves v Tottenham Hotspur (14:00 BST)
Newcastle United v UNITED (16:30 BST)

MONDAY 14 APRIL

Bournemouth v Fulham (20:00 BST)

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated.