· 24 May 2025, 13:00
**Newcastle United host Everton at St James' Park on the final day of the season on Sunday. All games kick off at 4:30 pm, with Newcastle's game not being televised by UK broadcasters.**
It is about as close to a 'must-win' game as you get with Champions League football on the line for the Magpies. There are ways we can still qualify without winning, but we'd rather not take that risk.
Speaking of risk, Eddie Howe has a couple of big decisions to make with Kieran Trippier and Alexander Isak both doubts for the game.
It's the last game of the season, so will the gaffer risk it with two of his most important players? We think so. Joelinton is definitely missing, so we think Howe will stick with playing Anthony Gordon as a No. 10.
Fingers crossed!
### Goalkeeper
**Nick Pope** - Why change it now?
### Defenders
**Kieran Trippier** \- Howe suggested he was close, so just go for it. What's to lose?
**Fabian Schar** - We suspect Howe will stick with three centre-backs.
**Sven Botman** - More game time for the big Dutch man.
**Dan Burn** - Where would we be without him this season?
**Tino Livramento** - Overlooked by Thomas Tuchel in order to represent the U21s, may feel he has a point to prove.
### Midfielders
**Bruno Guimaraes (c)** \- One more game for the captain and he can have a well-earned rest - until he's called up for Brazil.
**Sandro Tonali** - If anyone can drive us on to a much-needed win, it's Sandro.
### Forwards
**Jacob Murphy** - Murph could really do with rediscovering his magic touch for one more game.
**Alexander Isak** - 50/50 on this one, so this could be more hope than anything else, and even though he wasn't in great form before his injury, he could still make the difference on Sunday.
**Anthony Gordon** - It's a shame for Harvey Barnes to miss out, but we expect Howe will call upon Gordon to try and force the issue.
We're sure Harvey Barnes won't miss out entirely and will come on at some point, which could change Newcastle's dynamic if Everton has us rooted in place.
Emil Krafth and Callum Wilson could just as easily be in this starting XI over Trippier and Isak, we just don't know how it's going to go.
Whoever plays though, it's just one last push. We can do this!