As we build up to tonight’s big game at St James’ Park, it’s time to predict what side Eddie Howe will go with against Pep Guardiola’s title-chasing Man City.
We must bounce back from the recent 3-1 defeats away to West Ham and Brentford, but will the boss make changes and will we see a response?
Here are our thoughts on the line-up we could see when the team sheets are released a little later on…
**(4-3-3)**: Ramsdale – Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall – Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton – Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.
**OUT:** Pope, Burn and Barnes? **IN:** Ramsdale, Hall and Gordon?
Starting with the big change that feels obvious and nailed, we’ll surely see Lewis Hall come in at left-back. He’s been building his match fitness with England’s Under-21s over the break and Dan Burn is suspended, so this will be a welcome change to give us some balance in an area of the pitch that suffered badly in recent 3-1 defeats at Brentford and West Ham.
Then we have the three dilemmas and some tough calls for Howe, whether that’s down to late fitness tests or big calls over some of the manager’s favourites.
1. Nick Pope or Aaron Ramsdale?
2. Joelinton or Jacob Ramsey?
3. Anthony Gordon or Harvey Barnes?
With Ramsdale waiting patiently for his chance, impressing in the cup and Pope not only struggling at Brentford but missing some training over the break due to concussion, I think this would be a suitable time to bring him in. A tough one to predict given Howe’s faith in Pope, however, and I would not be surprised in the slightest if he gets another start.
Moving to the left side of our midfield three, I’d like to see Ramsey given a run in the side to provide that extra bit of technical quality and dynamism in attack. That said, I think Howe will opt for Joelinton in a bid to outwork, bully and outmuscle what may be a fairly lightweight Man City midfield without Rodri.
On the left wing, I think Gordon starts if he has made a full recovery, but any lingering doubts around his hip and Howe must play Barnes, who scored at Brentford last time out. I just get the feeling Gordon will be desperate to bounce back after missing England duty recently and might just thrive in a game like this.
On the right wing, Jacob Murphy looks set to keep his spot over an out of sorts Anthony Elanga, and I’d expect Tino Livramento to be back on the bench after only just returning from a knee injury, meaning Kieran Trippier could be up against tricky Belgian Jeremy Doku.