Newcastle are back in Champions League action tonight, taking on Qarabag in the early kick-off in Baku.
It’s the first leg of our play-off clash with the Azerbaijan side, with the return meeting set to take place at St James’ Park next Tuesday.
As we prepare to see the official line-ups at 4.30pm, here is the team we’re backing Eddie Howe to go with and why…
_**(4-3-3):** Pope – Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall – Willock, Tonali, Ramsey – Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon._
_**OUT:** Ramsdale, Murphy, Barnes, Osula._
_**IN:** Pope, Willock, Elanga, Gordon._
In last night’s [match preview](https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2026/02/17/qarabag-a-pre-match-thoughts-team-news-possible-xi-and-prediction/), I initially predicted that we’d see Gordon in a false nine role, with Barnes on the left and Elanga on the right, with Woltemade missing out to accommodate an athletic midfield three of Tonali, Willock and Ramsey.
However, the more I think about it, the more I believe we’ll see Barnes given a rest and Woltemade in a false nine role, seeing him drop in between two pacey wide men in Gordon and Elanga.
This was the exact front three that caused havoc in our 4-0 away win at Union SG, giving Elanga a chance to build on his recent improvement and Woltemade the opportunity to go again in a slightly more advanced role after scoring at Aston Villa on Saturday.
At the back, Botman’s absence means it will almost certainly be Burn and Thiaw at centre-back, with Hall at left-back and Trippier at right-back as our only fit option in that position, with Miley, Livramento and Krafth all out.