Looking at this Newcastle team v Athletic Bilbao.
Our next match at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United looking to make it three Champions League wins in a row.
Whilst at the same time bouncing back from Sunday’s performance and result against West Ham in the Premier League.
So can Eddie Howe’s side strengthen further their top eight automatic qualifying place in the Champions League table?
As a reminder, this was the Newcastle team v West Ham on Sunday:
Pope, Krafth, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Bruno, Joelinton, Tonali, Gordon, Woltemade, Murphy
Eddie Howe gave an update on Tuesday, regarding injury AND illness for this Athletic Bilbao match.
Yoane Wissa and Tino Livramento are still working their way back from injury.
Whilst Lewis Hall returned to the matchday squad on Sunday but was an unused sub, so it is an unknown as to whether Eddie Howe would see him as a possibility as a starter tonight after coming back from injury.
No new injuries reported but Eddie Howe yesterday having this to say about illness and possible fatigue:
“There’s been a bit of illness going through the squad because that’s various players that have picked something up. Sandro initially, Jacob Murphy, Kieran Trippier and now Bruno.
“We’re making a decision on Bruno tomorrow.
“He’s such an important player for us but he’s clearly not been himself and that’s why he missed training today.”
Eddie Howe on Nick Woltemade:
“We are well aware we have thrust him into every game, near enough.
“I thought he looked a little bit fatigued and taking him off [at West Ham] was the case of making a decision I felt would benefit the team and Nick going forward because he’s carrying a lot of load on his shoulders.
“If at any stage I feel he is fatigued I need to act to help him.”
This is my predicted Newcastle team v Athletic Bilbao:
Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Schar, Burn, Ramsey, Bruno, Joelinton, Tonali, Gordon, Elanga
If proved correct, this would mean four changes.
IN:
Trippier, Schar, Ramsey, Elanga
OUT:
Krafth, Botman, Woltemade, Murphy
I think this is actually one of the most difficult Eddie Howe team selections to predict.
So many factors in play.
You have the illness within the squad, you have the fact that the performance at West Ham was so poor, whilst when eight changes were made for the Spurs game a week ago, that side played well. Whilst also a question of whether Lewis Hall would be considered for a start after missing, then the Nick Woltemade possible fatigue.
I think having pace up front and a high press in these Champions League games is a big positive. With Woltemade maybe needing to come off the bench tonight to get the best of him in this game if needed, then with Osula not convincing when he came on at West Ham, then giving both Gordon and Elanga more freer roles up front could see them come to life tonight.
So long as they are physically ok, I reckon Eddie Howe will give our first choice midfield another go, to bounce back from Sunday.
If Lewis Hall was in a position to start then I think he would play, but Jacob Ramsey has played as a wing-back before and with Kieran Trippier apparently available again, I think they can put in great shifts down the flanks.
I fancy Sven Botman to maybe have a shift off and we have missed Fabian Schar’s passing and bringing the ball out of defence, so in a defensive three with Thiaw and Burn, he can have the freedom to step out with the ball.
As I say above though, very difficult to predict what this starting eleven will be and I wouldn’t be putting any money on it!