Newcastle United travel to Chelsea needing a result to keep their European qualification hopes alive. However, a far bigger game lies in wait.
The Magpies are level in their last-16 Champions League tie against Barcelona, with the second leg at the Camp Nou taking place three days after the visit to Stamford Bridge.
Eddie Howe wants his players to focus equally on both but admits “you can’t change human nature”.
“It could be huge,” when asked how important a win at Chelsea would be. “Let's not remember, we won our last game in the Premier League, so we're trying to build some consistency at last in the league, which we haven't done well enough throughout the season.
“It's not lost on me how important the Premier League is, and I'll impose that onto the players today and I did it yesterday, so I think the players will know how big it is.
“But as I said, you can't change human nature. I think we have to accept that there will not just be Barcelona, but Sunderland ahead on the horizon. The players will be aware of that, but I'll be telling them that we have to perform in this game.”
So, how does Howe go about his team selection? Does he rest players with Barcelona in mind? Here’s our predicted Newcastle United starting XI:
It’s Ramsdale’s jersey to lose now having started the last three matches ahead of Nick Pope.
1. GK: Aaron Ramsdale
It’s Ramsdale’s jersey to lose now having started the last three matches ahead of Nick Pope. | Getty Images
Livramento is back from injury and after back-to-back substitute appearances should be in a position to start against his former club.
2. RB: Tino Livramento (on for Kieran Trippier)
Livramento is back from injury and after back-to-back substitute appearances should be in a position to start against his former club. | Getty Images
Thiaw could maybe do with a rest as it was his tired touch that led to Barcelona being awarded an injury time penalty.
3. CB: Sven Botman (in for Malick Thiaw)
Thiaw could maybe do with a rest as it was his tired touch that led to Barcelona being awarded an injury time penalty. | Getty Images
Newcastle tend to miss Burn’s leadership when he isn’t in the starting line-up.
4. CB: Dan Burn
Newcastle tend to miss Burn’s leadership when he isn’t in the starting line-up. | Getty Images