Looking at this Newcastle team v Manchester City.
Eddie Howe’s side looking to bounce back from Saturday at Anfield.
In many people’s eyes, a minor miracle needed for Newcastle United to turn around a 2-0 deficit from the semi-final first leg and reach Wembley for a third time in four seasons.
There was a lot to like about the opening 40 minutes against Liverpool on Saturday.
Not a lot to like after that point as individual mistakes cost United dearly in defence.
As a reminder, this was the Newcastle team v Liverpool four days ago:
Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Ramsey, Willock, Elanga, Barnes, Gordon
Eddie Howe talked to the media on Tuesday and made it clear that Schar, Bruno, Livramento, Krafth, Joelinton and almost certainly Lewis Miley, all unavailable against Manchester City on Wednesday night.
He did though say Sven Botman was back available.
Taking all of that into consideration…
This is my predicted Newcastle team v Manchester City:
Pope, Trippier, Botman, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Ramsey, Willock, Jacob Murphy, Gordon, Wissa
If the above ends up as the reality, it would mean three changes for Eddie Howe compared to the team that started against Liverpool.
With coming in – Botman, Wissa, Jacob Murphy
Dropping out – Thiaw, Barnes, Elanga
The injured players very much limit options and interesting to see what Eddie Howe does.
I think Malick Thiaw could do with sitting a game out and playing pretty much every single match has been a big ask. I think on Saturday it was a bit of mental fatigue affecting him for the second and third goals. If Botman is ok to start then I think he well could alongside Burn.
I wouldn’t completely rule out another formation change of going back to three central defenders and wing-backs, though on balance this back four I suggest above.
With Miley and our Brazilians set to be missing, the midfield appears to pick itself.
Looking back at the first leg against Man City, Eddie Howe went with Gordon, Murphy and Wissa as his front three and I fancy that to be repeated here.
With then Barnes, Elanga and Woltemade to be introduced at some point.