Eddie Howe faces several big selection decisions for today's Premier League curtain-raiser at Aston Villa
Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Elanga and Anthony Gordon
Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Elanga and Anthony Gordon are expected to feature against Aston Villa
(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Image)
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has some positive selection dilemmas for today's Premier League opener at Aston Villa.
Much of the build-up to the game has been focused on Alexander Isak's absence, with the striker unavailable for selection after a damaging transfer saga which has dominated August. However, while United have been frustrated after missing out on several transfer targets, they have been able to add to their squad with Jacob Ramsey the fourth new addition of the window.
He is not able to play at Villa Park, of course, but Anthony Elanga, Aaron Ramsdale and Malick Thiaw are all part of the squad which travelled to Birmingham for today's lunchtime kick-off.
Of all the new signings, Elanga has the best chance of starting the game, with the former Nottingham Forest winger impressing over pre-season. He will challenge Jacob Murphy for a place on the right-hand side of a forward line which will see Anthony Gordon spearhead the attack, with Harvey Barnes on the left.
The midfield unit perhaps picks itself, with the formidable trio of Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and captain Bruno Guimaraes again the key to United's success.
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Joelinton has recovered from the knee injury which ended his season prematurely last term, while Tonali and Bruno will hope to pick up where they left off. Lewis Miley offers back-up options in midfield with Joe Willock ruled out with a groin injury.
Howe's biggest dilemma comes at the other end of the field, with Nick Pope and Ramsdale going head to head for the No 1 spot. Pope is expected to start ahead of the former Arsenal shot-stopper, but will know that any slip will open the door for Ramsdale to take over the gloves.
United have strong options across the backline, particularly now that Lewis Hall and Sven Botman have returned to the squad.
Both suffered from injuries last term, but have featured in pre-season as part of their recovery. The question is whether they have enough minutes in the tank to start today, with Howe perhaps erring on the side of caution ahead of what will be a long campaign.
New signing Thiaw has had a full pre-season with AC Milan but has only had a few training sessions with his new United team-mates, but does make the matchday squad.
However, it would be no big surprise to see United go with the back four who finished last term, which means Tino Livramento at left-back and Kieran Trippier on the right, with Fabian Schar and Dan Burn resuming their central defensive partnership.
That leaves the likes of Matt Targett, Harrison Ashby, Sean Neave and Park Seung-soo to fight it out for the final spots on the bench. Howe may go for the experience of Targett, but Park impressed in pre-season and would give the United boss a fresh attacking option if needed.
Predcited Newcastle United line-up
Newcastle United predicted XI vs Aston Villa: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Elanga, Barnes, Gordon.
Subs: Ramsdale, Krafth, Thiaw, Lascelles, Hall, Miley, J Murphy, Osula, Park.