Newcastle United head into Sunday's crucial Premier League finale knowing their fate is in their own hands. Win against Everton at St James' Park and they qualify for the Champions League.
It's rarely straightforward with the Magpies though. With Chelsea, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest breathing down their neck, they can't afford any slip-ups despite being in the box seat. Their hopes are [complicated further by doubts over Alexander Isak's fitness](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/positive-alexander-isak-injury-hint-31694259) after the star striker missed the Arsenal game last weekend.
Newcastle need all their players to be on their A game. With some stellar stars in their ranks, it could be a magnificent end to the season but one player has been the focus of much attention this week - Anthony Gordon. The former Everton star will be desperate to face his old club but produced a poor performance at Arsenal and should Isak be fit, he could miss out on the starting XI.
He's a man for the big occasion, however, and Eddie Howe will assess his options before deciding whether Gordon should start. Our Chronicle Live writers give their verdict on the big issue.
### Lee Ryder
Newcastle United's golden patch of form unfolded in March when Anthony Gordon was suspended and since that red card against Brighton he has looked like a man out of form. Harvey Barnes has been at the opposite end of the spectrum when playing on the left with Jacob Murphy excelling on the right-hand flank as Newcastle put together six wins in a row to win the Carabao Cup and put themselves in contention for the Champions League spots.
I'd be looking to get as close to the 4-3-3 shape that guided Newcastle to the brink of the Champions League places. Defensive and midfield injuries have blurred things for Eddie Howe in the run-in.
But a back four can still be cobbled together with Emil Krafth at right-back if Kieran Trippier is missing and Fabian Schar, Dan Burn and Tino Livramento across the defensive rearguard. Avoid tinkering with midfield too much and start with either Lewis Miley or Sean Longstaff alongside Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.
And allow Barnes to adopt the left flank he clearly favours with Murphy on the right. Regardless of who gets the central striker role, with Alexander Isak hopefully fit or Callum Wilson getting another opportunity, Newcastle need to go back to the tried and trusted formation that put them in with a shot of glory.
Gordon would be a good option as an impact sub against his old side and may well rediscover some focus by starting on the bench. Whenever a selection decision gets close to looking like a compromise things begin to get awkward.
Ultimately, tampering with the form of key man Barnes is the biggest danger, that's if the damage isn't already done. Start Barnes on the left with Gordon in reserve.
### Aaron Stokes
[Earlier this week I penned an article in defence of Anthony Gordon](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/anthony-gordon-exit-talk-laughable-31686113) after the backlash to his performance at Arsenal last weekend - and I'm backing him to right those wrongs come Sunday afternoon.
There are a number of options for Eddie Howe when it comes to the former Toffees star. Should the boss stick with his 3-4-3 formation, it is likely Gordon starts on the left once more, with Harvey Barnes on the right and Jacob Murphy at wing-back.
Should we see the more familiar 4-3-3 system, it’s likely going to be a straight shootout between Gordon and Barnes for that left-sided attacking role. To throw another option into the mix, there’s every chance Gordon could thrive as the left-sided central midfielder in Joelinton’s absence.
Lewis Miley and Joe Willock are live contenders for that starting spot this weekend but Gordon has flourished in that deeper role previously. With what is at stake, you wouldn’t be surprised to see Howe opt for an attacking lineup with his best goalscoring talent thrown in from the start.
### Ross Gregory
The fact that the opposition this weekend is Everton has to be taken into account. Gordon will be desperate to play against them in what is a monster game and while his form doesn't warrant inclusion, and there will be concerns around his emotion and temperament, Eddie Howe will no doubt be weighing it up carefully.
There's a lot of talk among this panel about switching formation or playing Gordon in a position that's different to his usual wide berth. Yes, he can play through the middle and yes, he can play deeper. But that's altering the formation and system to accommodate one player who is out of form. Not for me, Clive.
If you play Gordon, he has to start on the left of a front three. That would mean dropping Harvey Barnes. I have called for that in the past but Gordon's form, simply, doesn't warrant inclusion in any shape, in any position. Impact sub is the best option this weekend.
_(Cue Gordon starting, scoring two and firing Newcastle to Champions League)_
### Andrew Musgrove
Unfortunately for everyone, Anthony Gordon has not found his form after he was offered a route back into the starting XI. Granted, a change of formation and an injury Kieran Trippier has seen Eddie Howe move to five at the back with Jacob Murphy moving into RWB - but that was against Chelsea and Arsenal. This is Everton.
I would switch back to 4-3-3 and drop Gordon to the bench, switching Harvey Barnes back to the left and pushing Murphy back up to the right flank. Gordon hasn't looked himself - and his performance against Arsenal left a lot to be desired. He also does not perform well against Everton, and with Champions League football riding on this result, I don't think you take the gamble on him stepping up.
### Stuart Jamieson
There are only two ways Anthony Gordon should start on Sunday, and neither involve him in usual left-wing slot. He should be a better option than Harvey Barnes, but we've not seen any evidence of that since January. If Alexander Isak is out then I would be tempted to start Gordon up front and look to play around a second-choice Everton central defensive pairing.
However, in Joelinton's continued absence, he could be employed as a No 10 in front a a midfield pair of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes. That could take some of the attention away from Isak, especially if he's patched up, and potentially allow more space for the Swede. But he can have few complaints if Howe reverts to his usual 4-3-3 and he finds himself on the bench.