Eddie Howe looks set to go very strong in their FA Cup tie against Man City
Sven Botman and William Osula
View Image
Newcastle United will face familiar opponents on Saturday evening when they take on Manchester City for the fifth time this season. The Magpies have already faced Pep Guardiola's side twice in the Premier League, as well as both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final and now they meet in the FA Cup fifth round.
Guardiola will bring his City side to St James' Park for the third time this season and with Newcastle currently languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table, the FA Cup has taken on an extra importance this season.
Newcastle beat City on Tyneside in the Premier League in November but have lost all three of the subsequent meetings between the two sides. But they will take heart from Wednesday's 2-1 win over Manchester United in the Premier League, where Will Osula's 90th minute strike saw them take all three points despite being reduced to 10 men.
With a two-legged Champions League clash with Barcelona, as well as huge Premier League clashes against Chelsea and Sunderland still to come this month, Eddie Howe will have to make use of his squad.
With that in mind, here is how our writers would like to see Newcastle line up against Manchester City this evening.
Lee Ryder
I'd be going as strong as possible for the visit of Man City because at this stage of the competition, you have no choice - especially against such illustrious and dangerous opponents.
Keeping the momentum from the win over Man United is vital so some of the main stars from that game must stay in the side. Aaron Ramsdale may have been playing in this game regardless of Nick Pope's troubles at the minute, but he should be the obvious choice to face Pep Guardiola's side.
Kieran Tripper will have to go again and if he can produce what he did against Man United, nobody will complain. Malick Thiaw and Dan Burn would be my pairing in the middle of defence and in-form Lewis Hall will be up for this too, so he stays in.
In midfield, with no Bruno Guimaraes or suspended Jacob Ramsey, I'd give Joe Willock his chance from the start alongside Joelinton and Sandro Tonali.
Anthony Gordon on the left, Jacob Murphy on the right and let's get Nick Woltemade back on track with a goal or two and some decent service.
My NUFC XI: Ramsdale, Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Willock, Tonali, Joelinton, Gordon, Murphy, Woltemade
Sean McCormick
After such a brilliant win on Wednesday, I would be reluctant to change the team too much although with five games across the next 15 days, some rotation will be necessary.
Aaron Ramsdale's performance against Manchester United has made the goalkeeper position his to lose but I think the back four picks itself at the moment.
Jacob Ramsey's red card offers Joe Willock the chance to stake his claim in midfield, while Jacob Murphy replacing Anthony Elanga on the right-wing seems like an easy alteration to make given the effort Elanga put in on Wednesday.
Anthony Gordon should remain up front, despite Nick Woltemade's return and Will Osula's exploits off the bench against Manchester United.
My NUFC XI: Ramsdale; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Willock, Tonali, Joelinton; J Murphy, Barnes; Gordon
Ross Gregory
There is going to come a point when Eddie Howe simply has to rotate his troops. Some of them look to be running on fumes and asking them to go again, after such a tough, energy-sapping match in midweek is fraught with trouble.
In an ideal world you'd give Trippier, Burn and Tonali a breather. The trio were immense against Man Utd but with the lack of a recognised full-back (unless Tino Livramento is rushed back) and Jacob Ramsey's ban, the options are limited. I worry for Tonali in particular after he went down with cramp late in the game on Wednesday.
One player who can come back in, though, is Sven Botman. Burn may be relishing another Battle Royale with Erling Haaland but I'd give the Dutchman the nod and rest the Blyth man. Elsewhere, Jacob Murphy for Elanga would be my other change. Will Osula - supersub role for you.
My NUFC XI: Ramsdale, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Willock, Joelinton, J Murphy, Barnes Gordon.
Stuart Jamieson
Momentum is key going into this tough run of games, so changes are kept a minimum. The midfield picks itself after Jacob Ramsey's unfortunate suspension, while the forward line which did so well against Manchester United should continue tonight.
That just leaves the back line, where it's tempting to stick with the same players. However, this is the ideal chance to give Sven Botman some needed gametime, with Dan Burn stepping out despite another formidable midweek performance. Aaron Ramsdale did so well that he keeps the No 1 shit
My NUFC XI: Ramsdale, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Willock, Joelinton, Elanga, Barnes Gordon.