Our penultimate game of the 2024/25 season and our final away day, as Eddie Howe’s Mags travel to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in today’s 4.30pm kick-off.
Results didn’t go our way on Friday as Aston Villa and Chelsea both won to close the gap, but our situation remains the same; win today and we’ll book a place in the Champions League.
A win would also see us move up to second above the Gunners, who we’ve beaten in three of three meetings so far this season?
But who is starting at the Emirates? Here’s who we’re expecting to line up…
**Newcastle XI (3-4-3):** _:_ Pope – Schar, Botman, Burn – Murphy, Guimaraes, Tonali, Livramento – Barnes, Isak, Gordon.
Our thoughts have changed over the past 24 hours, as it now appears that Sven Botman has travelled with the squad and may just be keeping his place in the side.
The Dutchman came off in last Sunday’s 2-0 win over Chelsea with pain in his knee and has had limited training this week, but we believe the big man could keep his place.
This would see Murphy continue in a right wing-back role, with Schar and Burn either side of Botman and Livramento down the left.
Barnes and Gordon could then continue either side of Isak in attack, ahead of a two-man midfield of Tonali and Bruno.
For Arsenal, it remains to be seen if Declan Rice will be fit enough to return after taking part in training this week, with Kai Havertz also pushing to play after several months on the sidelines.
A huge game in a bid to secure a top-five finish. Hopefully the lads play with no fear as they did in that Carabao Cup semi final and get that win to make sure of Champions League football!