Newcastle United and Manchester United are facing off once again in the 2024/25 EPL season. After Man Utd’s home court loss at Old Trafford last December 30, they’re taking the fight this time to St. James’ Park. Will this end better for Ruben Amorim’s club, or will Eddie Howe follow their 2-0 win against Man United?

Before the much-awaited clash, ever wondered what an intense matchday at St. James’ Park looks like for an excited punter? From pre-morning kickoff to the post-match traditions, here’s a guide on what a perfect EPL matchday looks like:

A fan’s guide to the perfect matchday in St. James’ Park
St. James’ Park is the home of the Newcastle United Football Club. Here’s what you need to know about a St. James’ Park gameday from fellow football fans:

Pre-matchday activities: Before the morning kick-off
Take the day before the match to freshen up and set your priorities straight. It’s going to be a long day filled with excitement, and you’re going to need all the energy you can get. Before going to St. James’ Park, have breakfast at one of the local dining hot spots in Central London.

Blakes Coffee & Kitchen is a great place to start. It’s famous for its hearty English breakfast and warm atmosphere if you want to decompress and start the day right. If you prefer lighter meals, then check out Quay Ingredient. You’ll find their iconic eggs Benedict and avocado toasts just right for a pre-matchday meal.

Matchday morning: Getting into the Matchday Geordie Spirit
Getting in the matchday mood can be quite a challenge for busy people. Fortunately, the community can help with that. Find the right people by looking for them in the right places.

One of the first places you should check out is The Strawberry, a legendary pub bursting with atmosphere and Newcastle United FC memorabilia. If you prefer modern and spacious, visit the Shark Club Gastro Bar. Visit Rosie’s Bar if you prefer a traditional Geordie pub with plenty of singing.

The walk to the stadium: Embrace the Geordie Spirit
It’s a long walk from city pubs to the stadium, giving fans plenty of time to mingle and resonate. Begin the journey from the bustling pubs around the Bigg Market, Grainger Street, or The Gate, and make your way to the heart of the city. These are packed with football fans also emerging on their way to the stadium. It will be crowded, rowdy, and loud!

Take the opportunity to chant to your heart’s content, chanting your support for either side. Singing ‘Blaydon Races’ and ‘Local Hero’ is at the heart of Geordie tradition, so learn the lyrics and chant the anthems with fellow fans!

Just before the match: How to maximise your time at the stadium
Arrive at the venue early to make sure you have everything sorted like your seating arrangements. If you do, then you’ll have the time to check out the club store or grab a few bites. Freshen up before the match begins, so you don’t have to leave your seats.

Arrive early: To soak in the electric atmosphere, arrive at least an hour before kick-off.

Visit the club store: Check out the official store to grab a scarf, jersey, or unique memorabilia as a keepsake.

Check out stadium food: There’s going to be everything you expect, from popcorn to beer. However, don’t miss out on the famous Magpies pies—the perfect comfort food for a lively event!

Post-match eats: End your day at one of Newcastle’s hot spots
After the event regardless of the results, end the day on a high note. No matter who wins, there is always a reason to celebrate, and you can do so with fellow fans at notable, vibrant spots near St. James’ Park. There’s the Fat Hippo, known for its burgers and indulgent sides, the Dabbawal for street-food-inspired Indian Cuisine, and the Pizza Punks for custom pizza and beers.

For a fancier experience, check out The Botanist where you can enjoy cocktails with a stunning view. Meanwhile, the STACK Newcastle is the perfect alternative if you prefer a livelier evening. It is a bustling container village that hosts bars and food vendors with live music.

Club status: Both sides’ forms in the 2024/25 season
Newcastle United and Manchester United both had promising upward momentum in seasons 2022/23 to 2023/24. However, this time hasn’t been kind to Manchester United, following a bad start and its recent struggles. There’s a significant difference between the two teams’ forms, and here’s a breakdown:

Newcastle United has great form and momentum this season — The Magpies just won the EFL Cup 2024/25, a testament to their prowess. On top of that, they’ve had 9 consecutive victories across different leagues between December and January. The most impressive of which were against Arsenal and Birmingham.

Manchester United is still finding its footing — The Red Devils are in a shaky position given that they are missing 8 high-value players in every position. However, they’ve had runaway victories like a draw with Liverpool in the EPL and a win against Arsenal in the FA Cup. Nevertheless, they are currently ranked 13th in the EPL standing, facing off against a club in the top 5. It’s not looking good, but fans believe that they will put up a fight.

Head-to-Head stats: Current standing
Newcastle United dominated Manchester United (0-2) in their first leg of the 2024/25 meets. The upcoming game is heavily in the Magpies’ favour, considering Eddie Howe’s team is nearly complete. He is missing some star players like Sven Botman and Lewis Hall until May, but the squad is in a strong condition.

Ruben Amorim still has a lot to fix in the team but he’ll need a fresh start for 2025/26. It was a mess when he got there on 1 November 2025 after Erik Ten Hag’s sacking, and it didn’t get any better post-Winter transfer season. This is apparent in the last two matches against Newcastle United.

EPL – 31 December 2024 (0-2)
Here’s a recap of Newcastle and Man United’s first leg match in the EPL 2024/25:

Newcastle United’s star player Alexander Isak, gave the team an early point advantage with a well-placed header in the first 4 minutes. That was the 6th game with a goal for Isak. The Magpies almost scored at 14’ with a cross from Jacob Murphy, but Anthony Gordon failed to follow up.

It didn’t take long for Newcastle to try again because Joelinton scored their next goal with an assist from Gordon. This secured a dominant lead for the visiting team at such an early stage of the game.

After the 0-2 lead, neither team was able to follow up with another score until the end. This marks Newcastle’s second victory vs Man United at the Old Trafford, the first time since 2013. It was a disastrous month for Man United having lost 5 out of 7 matches in the EPL, one of the worst records in EPL history.

Key players to watch from both sides
The upcoming head-to-head at St. James’ Park on 13 April is underway, and both sides are projected to have their star players. Here are the top players you can expect to see on matchday:

Newcastle United
It is no surprise that the two most iconic players from the Magpies are Isak and Guimarães. They’re the two standout footballers featured in the five questions Newcastle United answered for fans. Here’s a quick introduction to both of them:

Aleksander Isak: Isak is hailed as the standout performer of the year, with fans speculating that he’s a contender for the Golden Boot since the start of the season. He’s the man pundits and fans alike credit for Newcastle’s recent success, not just in the EPL but also in the Carabao Cup, where they won the 2024/25 season.

Bruno Guimarães: He is a key figure in Newcastle United’s midfield, providing the squad’s strong foundation. Guimarães tends to be too rowdy, resulting in his yellow card suspensions in December and, most recently, in March. That just means he’ll have a 12-day rest for the game at St. James’ Park.

Manchester United
Manchester United are missing too many players right now, but the ones present are still powerhouses in the EPL. There’s the captain, Bruno Fernandes and the returning go-getter, Manuel Ugarte. Here’s a short introduction to each one:

Bruno Fernandes: If productivity and intensity are the keys to victory, then this Manchester United team captain has proven why he’s one of the UEFA Nations League superstars. He’s been pivotal in the team since joining in 2020 and is the centre of the squad’s success so far. Fernandes has one of the highest involvement in goals across all competitions in 2024/25 (16 goals & 16 assists).

Manuel Ugarte: Manchester United is in dire need of a strong midfield, making Ugarte’s return a positive sign for the club. Amorim didn’t put pressure on him, though. He went unused at the bench on his official return, then played a pivotal role in the club’s 0-3 win against Leicester City. Though he didn’t score, he applied pressure with shots and tackles.

Newcastle United is the favourite at home court
Manchester United has many key players returning to practice after injury, but most of their best units are still ruled out by the time of the match on 13 April. Thus, they are still in a significantly weakened state, putting the odds against Amorim and his men. Not to mention Newcastle United’s generally better form, especially after winning the EFL Cup 2024/25.

Matchday is right around the corner and the fixture will be available at Sportsbet.io. Get the mobile app for an optimised experience on the smartphone. You’ll also find enticing promos to enhance your EPL betting experience and enjoy our exclusive features like the Bet Builder.