Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker has claimed that Sunday afternoon's clash with Erik ten Hag's side will be Newcastle United's "biggest game in the season" as Eddie Howe's side look to move up into third.
Victory at St James' Park for the Magpies would see them leapfrog the Red Devils and go above their top four rivals on goal difference. Tottenham would have the chance to overtake both sides with a win over Everton on Monday night, but Newcastle and Man United both have two games in hand on Spurs.
Sunday's meeting will be the third this season with the two teams playing out a 0-0 draw back at Old Trafford before the Carabao Cup final heartbreak at Wembley. Newcastle would love to exact their revenge this weekend and Parker believes that a draw would not be a beneficial outcome for either team in what he predicts to be a nail-biting game of football.
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"Man United should approach the game against Newcastle as they have approached all other games this season," he told BonusCodeBets. "They have to show that they are playing for a victory with some entertaining football.
"But form-wise Man United are not at their peak right now. I’m not worried about it because it happens to every successful team but we just have to keep in mind that we can’t expect Man United to win against Newcastle at St James' Park.
"A game against Man United at home will definitely be Newcastle’s biggest game in the season and it will be a tough test for Man United. Newcastle is a very good side who can trouble pretty much every team in the world.
"It’s going to be a really interesting match between two teams who are fighting for the top four. But it’s quite important for both sides to get a victory because both teams want to qualify for the Champions League. Both teams need to win."
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