As we edge closer to kick-off ahead of tonight’s big game at St James’ Park between Eddie Howe’s Mags and Arne Slot’s Liverpool, it’s time to predict which Newcastle United XI we’ll see come 7.30pm.
Alexander Isak is expected to be fit and Callum Wilson is back, but we’ll be missing Emil Krafth, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles, with Lewis Miley also set to miss out after starting for the under-21s last night.
Here’s what we’re going with and why:
**Predicted XI:** (4-3-3): _Pope – Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall – Longstaff, Bruno, Tonali – Joelinton, Isak, Gordon._
At the back, Howe admitted in Tuesday’s press conference that we have missed Trippier’s creativity and quality, but he’s still getting “closer” to full fitness and doesn’t appear ready to start just yet.
Burn also looks to be OK despite managing a niggling ankle issue that has limited his training time over the past week. He was missed in last Monday’s defeat to West Ham, so we’ll have to hope that issue settles down over the festive period.
I expect the back four to stay the same, but I think we might see one change in midfield and a return to the rarely-used three who started in our memorable 4-1 win over PSG last year; Tonali, Guimaraes and Longstaff.
It’s tough to predict who Howe will go with in midfield, as five or six options must fit into three, but Willock has been poor in his last two starts and his injury history makes him less likely to play three games in 10 days.
In attack, it’s tough to say which side Gordon will start on, but I reckon he could return to the left, giving him a chance to get at England teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold and exploit the space he may leave, unless Howe feels Joelinton is best suited to tracking the double threat of Trent and Salah down Liverpool’s right side.
How do you see us lining up tonight? Let us know your predicted (or preferred) line-up in the comments below…