Eddie Howe must change his starting XI for Newcastle United’s Champions League game against Benfica.
They returned to Premier League action after the international break in disappointing fashion, with Newcastle United losing 2-1 to Brighton.
The Magpies have an immediate opportunity to bounce back, with St James’ Park braced for another Champions League night.
Jose Mourinho’s Benfica are heading to Newcastle, and Eddie Howe will be pondering key changes to his side for the clash with the two-time European Cup winners.
Two players are at risk of being dropped, and this is Geordie Boot Boys’ predicted Newcastle United XI to face Benfica on Tuesday night.
The Newcastle United squad applaud supporters after losing to Brighton in the Premier League.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
No changes at the back for Newcastle United
Even if Eddie Howe wanted to, he does not have many options to change his backline.
Newcastle United will almost certainly name an unchanged back four against Benfica, which means Dan Burn will continue at left-back.
There are no other real alternatives, with Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall injured.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
Fabian Schar is an option in reserve, but it would come as a huge surprise if Howe opted to take Sven Botman or Malick Thiaw out of his starting XI when Newcastle take on Benfica.
Eddie Howe makes Joelinton call
Joelinton is at risk of being dropped against Benfica, having been substituted at half-time during the defeat to Brighton on Saturday.
Howe was not happy with Newcastle’s midfield during the first half at the Amex Stadium, with Joelinton particularly poor.
However, Geordie Boot Boys predict that Howe will stick with the Brazil international. He is tipped to retain his place in the team alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.
If the Newcastle United manager did opt to take Joelinton out of the side, it would likely be for Lewis Miley. While fans would like to see Jacob Ramsey start, he is still building up his fitness after his recent injury layoff.
Anthony Elanga dropped against Benfica
While Joelinton could get a reprieve, Anthony Elanga feels unlikely to be quite as lucky.
Elanga seriously struggled against Brighton, having also underperformed prior to the international break against his former club Nottingham Forest.
Howe called Elanga a ‘great player’ after Saturday’s defeat, but needs to start seeing more from his £55million summer signing. The expectation was that he would hit the ground running, but that has not been the case.
In his place, Jacob Murphy should start on the right. He was much more impactful than Elanga at the Amex Stadium, and should be rewarded with a first Champions League start of the season.
He will join Nick Woltemade and Anthony Gordon in attack, who both scored in the Magpies’ last European fixture.
Predicted XI vs Benfica: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.