Eddie Howe has a midfield dilemma when Newcastle United face Brighton on Saturday.
Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton have endured a gruelling international break, representing Brazil in friendlies in South Korea and Japan.
The travelling will have taken its toll on the Newcastle United midfielders, meaning Eddie Howe may have to consider making a change to his side. If that is the case, it could be good news for one of the Magpies’ summer signings.
Howe has some big decisions to make, and this is Geordie Boot Boys‘ predicted Newcastle United starting XI to face Brighton.
Eddie Howe and Joelinton celebrate together after Newcastle United's win over Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League.
Photo by Harriet Massey/Newcastle United via Getty Images
No changes in defence for Newcastle United
A combination of injuries and form will most certainly result in Howe naming an unchanged back four.
Kieran Trippier, Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman have all spent the international break on Tyneside and should be fresh for Saturday’s game at the Amex Stadium, while Dan Burn is Newcastle’s only senior option at left-back.
Lewis Hall is injured, as is Tino Livramento. The former has a hamstring problem, while the latter is ruled out with a knee issue.
In reserve, Howe will be able to turn to Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
Jacob Ramsey starts ahead of Joelinton against Brighton
Given the amount of travelling that Bruno and Joelinton have had to do, combined with the volume of games coming up, Howe could be minded to rest at least one of them against Brighton on Saturday.
Geordie Boot Boys are predicting that Joelinton could drop to the bench, making way for Jacob Ramsey to start just his second Newcastle game ever. His first ended prematurely, with an ankle injury forcing Ramsey off against Leeds back in August.
We are backing Ramsey to replace the £40million powerhouse away to Brighton, with Howe having one eye on the upcoming Champions League clash with Benfica.
The Newcastle United manager needs to rotate his midfield, and this is a good chance to turn to Ramsey with Lewis Miley’s fitness unclear and Joe Willock out of favour.
Jacob Murphy is the only change to Newcastle United’s attack
Anthony Elanga endured a difficult international break, with Sweden on the brink of missing out on the 2026 World Cup.
Now he could lose his place in the Newcastle United starting XI, with Jacob Murphy tipped to start ahead of him versus Brighton this weekend.
Elanga struggled against Nottingham Forest before the international break, while Murphy has had the luxury of training with Howe on Tyneside while his teammates were away representing their countries.
He should join Anthony Gordon and Nick Woltemade in attack, both of which will be full of confidence after scoring for their countries.
Predicted XI vs Brighton: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Bruno, Tonali, Ramsey; Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.