The contrast between our previous game and the next one could not be greater. From the home comfort of SJP against minnows Levadia Talinn, we step into Old Trafford against Manchester. It’s a good test to see if the team has made any progress as last season we were soundly even if not adequately reflected in the 2-0 scoreline.

Pre Match Talk - Glen Roeder:

“Manchester United have a great record at home, but two or three times during any one season, teams get results there that they were perhaps not expected to get and we will go there in a positive frame of mind on the back of playing well lately.

“The only defeat in the last four or five games has been Liverpool, so it is a game we should look forward to and be very aggressive in the way we attack it.

“But it is not a place you go and score two or three goals, so we have to make sure we limit the chances they get and, if we can play on the counter-attack and create one or two chances and take at least one of those chances, maybe we can have a good day.”

Newcastle Squad:

Harper, Srnicek, Krul, Carr, Bernard, Bramble, Moore, Taylor, Ramage, Huntington, Parker, Butt, Duff, Emre, N’Zogbia, Milner, Pattison, Ameobi, Martins, Sibierski, Luque.

In defence, Bramble will be suspended for the silly red card against Everton and Baba will serve the second game of his three match suspension. Solano and Dyer are still out with hamstring injuries and Rossi is ineligible to play.

Predicted Line Up:

Harper, Carr, Moore, Taylor, Ramage, Milner, Parker, Emre, Duff, Ameobi and Martins.

Key Areas of Battle:

To stand any chance, Emre and Parker must win the midfield duel against Carrick and Scholes and Ramage most probably playing at left back will have to turn in a miracle of a performace against Ronaldo. Then, there is that boy Rooney who is currently off form, but write him off at our peril.

Prediction:

One of those games, in which I would be happy to take a draw from and celebrate a goal even if it came off Ameobi’s nose. Deep down though, I know Manchester has too much quality for us.

Honest Prediction: 3-1 to Manchester

Biased Toon Prediction: 2-2 with Emre scoring from a free kick and Martins with a last minute equalizer.