Looking at this Newcastle team v Manchester City.
United one round away from a third Carabao Cup final in four years.
Eddie Howe and his players hoping to make it five wins in a row, after nine points form a trio of league victories has seen then rise to top six in the Premier League, plus make progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup.
An 8pm Tuesday night kick-off at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United looking to continue a stunning run of home form since September, as these last four and a half months have seen 11 wins in 13 SJP matches and the other two ending up as draws. In all 13 home matches, United scoring at least two goals in each of them.
As a reminder, this was the Newcastle team v Leeds six days ago:
Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton, Bruno, Barnes, Gordon, Woltemade
I have used this as the starting point for trying to predict the Newcastle team v Manchester City, as Eddie Howe made seven changes on Saturday for the Bournemouth FA Cup match.
The Eddie Howe pre-match press conference took place on Monday and Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento, Dan Burn, Jamaal Lascelles, Emil Krafth and Will Osula set to miss tonight.
However, the NUFC Head Coach saying that Anthony Elanga and Jacob Murphy could potentially return to the matchday squad, that the pair would train on Monday and Eddie Howe would see how they were.
Eddie Howe also said this on team selection ahead of the Man City match, after those full on Leeds and Bournemouth matches in quick succession:
“I will have discussions with the medical team and performance team; physical levels and energy levels are of the utmost importance for this game.
“We will have to make decisions based on that.
“This is a huge challenge, some players have just played 120 minutes and then a few days later are being asked to go again, but I’d like to think, physically and mentally, come kick-off we will be ready to go again.”
Taking all of that into consideration…
This is my predicted Newcastle team v Bournemouth:
Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton, Bruno, Gordon, Jacob Murphy, Wissa
If the above ends up as the reality, it would mean three changes for Eddie Howe compared to the team that started against Leeds last midweek.
With coming in – Botman, Jacob Murphy, Wissa
With dropping out – Schar, Barnes, Woltemade
The additional injuries to Tino and Schar have complicated things, as I think they both would have started tonight.
Pope will be in goal for sure and hopefully Thiaw and Botman ok to play in the middle, as the only two fit and available central defenders.
Hall played the full game against Leeds and then had to come on after an hour on Saturday when Tino go injured. Fingers crossed he is alright to play tonight, such a good essential player for big matches.
Trippier did ok on Saturday but his first start for a good while. Miley replaced him on 69 minutes and I expect the teenager to start at right-back.
I think for sure that Eddie Howe was planning to play his first choice midfield trip for this one.
Tonali played the first half against Leeds and then the full match on Saturday, a vital player even when not at his very best.
Bruno and Joelinton played the full match against Leeds and then both came on with twenty minutes to go against Bournemouth, very much with Manchester City in mind tonight. The pair did of course have to end up playing 30+ minutes more than intended but it is what it is and shouldn’t prevent them starting tonight.
I would be amazed if Harvey Barnes started and I would be amazed if Anthony Gordon didn’t.
Barnes played the entirety of both these last two matches and for sure I see Eddie Howe wanting him available as an impact sub for the final 25-30 minutes.
Gordon came off with ten minutes left against Leeds and then was subbed on with twenty minutes of normal time remaining against Bournemouth.
Eddie Howe will be wanting the likes of Gordon to put as much pressure as possible on the second choice Man City keeper and a back four that has so many key players unavailable.
Yoane Wissa the same, he came on in the 75th minute against Leeds and played until subbed off on 70 minutes against Bournemouth, whilst Big Nick played the full lot in the FA Cup match. Along with Barnes, Woltemade will be seen as a game changer off the bench, or hopefully to improve further on a very good situation already, when he comes on.
Jacob Murphy came on with ten minutes to go against Leeds and wasn’t involved at the weekend, Eddie Howe talked about how big a shift he put in against Crystal Palace the weekend before last. I think if available he plays on the right, although wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Eddie Howe put Elanga straight in and looked to his pace to help unsettle a second choice Man City defence.