Anticipation is building as Newcastle United prepare for their first cup final in over 20 years. Eddie Howe's side head into the Wembley showpiece as the underdogs but have already shown they can match Manchester United this season.
The Magpies have stuttered in the Premier League late of late but have plenty of reasons to believe they can end their 68-year wait for a trophy this weekend. Manchester United are the division's in-form side but have played twice since Newcastle's defeat to Liverpool last Saturday.
Over 30,000 of the Geordie faithful will be inside the national stadium come Sunday, many of whom are expecting a win for Howe's men. But do you agree with our writers' predictions below? Let us know by taking our survey.
Aaron Stokes
It's written in the stars, isn't it? Loris Karius, in his first competitive fixture for an English side since that fateful night in Kyiv for Liverpool, will be the hero for Newcastle United.
Manchester United are flying at the moment but a tricky tie against Barcelona on Thursday will have done them no favours. The Magpies would be buoyed by a Marcus Rashford absence but would still have a huge task on their hands.
I think we may see a repeat of the October clash between these two sides. Tight, nervy and little to separate them. I'm backing Karius to be the hero in the shootout.
Lee Ryder
Here's to a 2-1 win for the Magpies who I think will have just enough to get over the line against a strong Man United team.
Man United go into this on form but I do believe that the Thursday night game against Barca will take a lot out of them.
With that in mind, Newcastle will need to get at the Red Devils early on but victory is far from beyond Howe's men inside 90 minutes.
Ciaran Kelly
On paper, Manchester United have hit form at just the right time while Newcastle United have stuttered at the worst time possible, but this will be a really tight game. Newcastle's big-game record has dramatically improved in the last nine months and the players won't go into this final in fear.
Leeds United and Leicester City have shown there are areas to get at when facing Manchester United in recent weeks, but Newcastle will have to take their chances because their opponents have the most in-form forward on the planet in Marcus Rashford, who can turn a game in an instant. I'm going to go 1-1 and for Newcastle to sneak it on penalties.
Andrew Musgrove
I'm backing Newcastle United to win the cup! I think they'll grab the first goal through some high pressing and force a mistake from David de Gea. Manchester United to equalise through a penalty, before Joelinton finds the winner with a few minutes remaining!
READ NEXT
Kieran Trippier's superb £5,000 gesture as Newcastle players and staff step up for Graeme Jones
Newcastle's added motivation to win final against Manchester United after emotional farewells
Sir John Hall hints Newcastle may now have stadium solution and special guests to watch final
Nick Pope sent message by Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool boss asks why Newcastle team-mate can't play
What Kevin Keegan told pal that Newcastle will love before facing 'other lot' Manchester United
