Newcastle head to the Etihad looking to end their miserable run of results at Man City
Newcastle United assistant head coach Jason Tindall and Joelinton
Newcastle United's Joelinton could start at Man City(Image: Elmir Karimov/Shutterstock)
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Eddie Howe welcomes Sven Botman back to his Newcastle United squad for tonight's game against Manchester City, but otherwise it will be the same group which performed so well against Qarabag last week.
That handsome 6-1 victory at least takes the pressure off Tuesday's second leg and should allow the United head coach to pick as strong a side as possible this evening.
He'll need to, of course, with City looking to close the gap on Arsenal at the top of the table. Howe could bring Joelinton and Jacob Ramsey back into the starting line-up and must decide whether to stick with Anthony Gordon through the middle after his four-goal Champions League haul.
Here are the starting XIs our team of NUFC writers would pick tonight, and your chance to name the side you want to see take to the field.
Lee Ryder
Newcastle United go again tonight at Man City knowing they must fight against the fatigue barrier following a long journey in midweek.
Changes will be needed but there's not a great deal that Eddie Howe can do given the restrictions in terms of selection caused by injuries. I'd consider going with a back five to offer that extra bit of protection so Sven Botman comes back in from a two-game rest.
Kieran Trippier continues on the right with Malick Thiaw, Botman and Dan Burn in the middle and Lewis Hall on the left.
Sandro Tonali and Jacob Ramsey protect the back five while Nick Woltemade continues in a deeper role as part of a 5-4-1 formation with Anthony Gordon leading the line.
My NUFC XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Ramsey, Woltemade, Barnes, Gordon
Stuart Jamieson
With Tuesday night's game with Qarabag now something of a formality, Newcastle can afford to go strong tonight to give them every chance to ending ther Etihad hoodoo. I'm liking the Gordon-Woltemade combination, even if the German is pretty much playing in midfield, but would bring Jacob Ramsey into midfield alongside Sandro Tonali. Joelinton can be eased back into the side.
Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes are the clear in-form players on the flanks, which only really leaves central defence to debate over. Switching to a back five didn't work the last time United came here, but if Botman is fit to start then I would bring him in and give Dan Burn a break.
My NUFC XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Ramsey, Elanga, Woltemade, Barnes, Gordon.
Ross Gregory
It’s pretty much the same squad that has to go again on Saturday night with only Sven Botman back. The dilemma is whether to switch formation and revert to the three centre halves that they tried at the Etihad in the semi final or stick with a back four.
The back five didn’t really work against City last time out so as much as there will be some tired legs, I wouldn’t make too many changes.
Joelinton and Jacob Ramsey - who both started on the bench on Wednesday - would start and I’d give Harvey Barnes a breather. He’s played virtually every minute recently. The left attacking role would be a combination of Joelinton and Joe Willock similar to how they alternated to great effect in the past. Nick Woltemade gets an rest and Anthony Gordon leads the line again.
My NUFC XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Tonali, Ramsey, Joelinton; Elanga, Gordon, Willock
Pick your NUFC XI
How many changes would you make after Qarabag? Pick your Newcastle starting XI here.
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