Newcastle team news and predictions ahead of Barcelona tie in Champions League
Tino Livramento of Newcastle United in action during a training session ahead of the Champions League tie against Barcelona
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It's do or die for Newcastle United's season and Eddie Howe knows he must get his starting XI right for the visit of Barcelona to St James's Park in the last 16 of the Champions League.
It's a two-legged affair, with the return fixture next week in the Camp Nou, but United must be still in the game for that trip. A first leg advantage would be great but the Magpies know how tough their opponents will be after a 2-1 defeat against the Spaniards earlier this season.
Howe admits there has been some illness in the camp, but has Jacob Ramsey back from suspension and Tino Livramento got minutes under his belt against Man City at the weekend. There are some big decisions to make, however.
We asked our Newcastle United writers to pick their starting XI for the game. Here's their verdicts.
Lee Ryder
This is it. Newcastle United's season will now be played out in front of us over two legs against Barcelona with the Magpies having work to do to save their campaign.
It's why I think this will be do or die in more ways than one for both the season and some players who are fighting for their futures. No Europe next season means a rethink behind the scenes and a lower budget, but ultimately if United don't get into continental competition, they have failed to achieve their aims for a season that started with so much optimism.
I'd stick with Aaron Ramsdale between the posts as he is the man playing with confidence and will relish facing Barca. If Tino Livramento can play an hour, he must start. Lewis Hall on the other flank and I'd go with Dan Burn in the centre alongside Malick Thiaw. Burn will need a PSG-esque performance against Barca.
Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Jacob Ramsey to start the game in the engine room and I'd go with Harvey Barnes on the left, Mr Champions League Anthony Gordon in the middle and Anthony Elanga on the right if Jacob Murphy is not passed fit.
My NUFC XI: Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Joelinton, Tonali, Ramsey, Barnes, Elanga, Gordon
Sean McCormick
Eddie Howe described this as the biggest game in the club's history and he has to pick the strongest team possible to reflect this. Tino Livramento doesn't sound fit enough to start otherwise there might have been a decision to make at right-back. Dan Burn has to return to the team for Sven Botman as his influence in big games has proven to be key.
Jacob Ramsey will make a welcome return in the midfield. So, too, will Joelinton with Joe Willock and Nick Woltemade - whose midfield experiment surely came to an end on Saturday - making way.
Anthony Elanga had one of his best performances for Newcastle in the game against Barcelona earlier this season so he should retain his place on the wings. Newcastle showed their pace can hurt Barcelona's high line that night so Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon should complete the front three.
My NUFC XI: Ramsdale; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Ramsey, Tonali, Joelinton; Elanga, Barnes, Gordon
Ross Gregory
Tino Livramento is the big decision. Newcastle will be desperate to see him out on the pitch - regardless of how well Kieran Trippier has done. In an ideal world I'd start Livramento as part of a back five but I think it's too much of a risk, so it's a back four with Trippier alongside Malick Thiaw, Dan Burn and Lewis Hall.
The midfield three picks itself but in attack, you could go with Anthony Gordon and any two others, given their lack of consistent form. Anthony Elanga always feels like a gamble, while Harvey Barnes - goal aside - was poor against Man City but I'll plump for those two to make up the same strikeforce that caused Barca some problems back in September.
My NUFC XI: Ramsdale, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Ramsey, Joelinton, Elanga, Barnes, Gordon
Stuart Jamieson
Saturday's FA Cup team selection proved what Newcastle United and Eddie Howe have prioritised this week, and I expect to see the strongest possible XI tonight. For me, there is only one big decision to make, and that is whether Sven Botman or Dan Burn start alongside Malick Thiaw in the heart of defence.
I'm going for Botman, although I have no qualms over Burn starting, but I remain a huge fan of the Dutch defender. Up front, Anthony Gordon is back to lead the line, while Jacob Ramsey must come straight into the midfield, alongside a recalled Joelinton and Sandro Tonali.
Should Newcastle risk starting Tino Livramento at right-back? If he's fit enough to be involved, then he should start for me. United will get no second chances to stamp their mark on this tie, and have to take a lead to the Nou Camp.
My NUFC XI: Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Ramsey, Joelinton, Elanga, Barnes, Gordon
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Simply select the players from the available squad and you decide who plays where. Don't forget to share your team and see how it compares with the most-selected XI.