The lads are back in action tonight, and it’s a big one; Man City at St James’ Park in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
Newcastle arrive off the back of Saturday’s tiring but successful shootout win over Bournemouth in the FA Cup, while City come to town after a 10-1 win over Exeter and three-straight draws in the league.
As we build up kick-off at 8pm, here is the side I’m backing Eddie Howe to go with and why…
Predicted XI
_**(4-3-3):** Pope – Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Hall – Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton – Barnes, Wissa, Gordon._
_**OUT:** Ramsdale, Trippier, Livramento, Ramsey, Willock, Woltemade?_
_**IN:** Pope, Miley, Hall, Bruno, Joelinton, Gordon?_
In goal, I still expect Pope to return despite Ramsdale’s penalty heroics, with Miley and Hall at full-back, as Trippier looked off the pace on Saturday and Livramento is injured.
In midfield, Bruno and Joelinton will almost certainly return, and you’d expect Tonali to keep his place despite giving his all for 120 minutes on Saturday.
In attack, I think Wissa’s pace and movement could be Howe’s preference against an injury-hit Man City back line, with the in-form Barnes on the right and Gordon down the left. Murphy is an option, but he’s had a hamstring issue lately and hasn’t been in great form.