The Magpies hold a strong advantage in their Champions League play-off second leg against the Azerbaijan side
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe directs training ahead of tonight's game with Qarabag
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe directs training ahead of tonight's game with Qarabag(Image: Getty Images)
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The dilemma for Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe is how many changes can he afford to make for tonight's Champions League play-off second leg with Qarabag.
The Magpies hold a formidable 6-1 lead from the first leg, but Howe will want to ensure his side continue their good form with another strong performance this evening, while also resting key players ahead of Saturday's Premier League game with Everton.
Youngsters Leo Shahar, Alex Murphy and Sean Neave come into contention, while Sven Botman's return comes at a good time with Malick Thiaw suspended. Howe will not want to disrupt the balance of the side too much, but with changes on the cards, here are the starting XIs our team of NUFC writers would pick tonight - plus your chance to name your team.
Lee Ryder
Eddie Howe is expected to tweak his team to face Qarabag in the second of the Champions League play-offs at St James' Park. It's actually 31 years this week that Kevin Keegan named a back four of homegrown players in a thumping 4-0 win over Coventry City.
Steve Watson, Alan Neilson, Matty Appleby and Robbie Elliott were all youth products as Keegan gave youth its chance. With a 6-1 cushion, Howe has the chance to do the same but I think he will still be cautious and other senior squad members will get priority.
I'd start with Leo Shahar at right-back and give Alex Murphy a shot in the back four somewhere as he can operate as a centre-back or left-back. If Murphy was at left-back, Sven Botman would get the chance to get minutes in the middle with Dan Burn.
The midfield area gives Joe Willock and Jacob Ramsey their opportunity to start again and Joelinton would benefit from 90 minutes after injury. Front three of William Osula, Sean Neave and Anthony Elanga would fit the bill for me and I'd change keeper.
My NUFC XI: Ramsdale, Shahar, Botman, Burn, A Murphy, Joelinton, Ramsey, Willock, Osula, Elanga, Neave
Ross Gregory
Alex Murphy, this is your time! Finally, let's give the Irish defender a start with Newcastle 6-1 ahead. There would be a temptation to start Leo Shahar at right-back too but having too young, inexperienced full-backs may be a step too far. Kieran Trippier could do with a rest though so I'd play Jacob Murphy as a right back. Murphys as both full-backs.
Sandro Tonali gets a breather, as does Anthony Gordon, Nick Woltemade and Anthony Elanga. Joelinton's return to fitness along with Yoane Wissa is good timing and I'd be tempted to play Will Osula on the right wing for this game.
The bench will be strong but hopefully the senior stars won't be needed and instead, Shahar, Sean Neave and maybe Park Seung-soo will see some minutes.
My NUFC XI: Ramsdale, J Murphy, Botman, Burn, A Murphy; Joelinton, Ramsey, Willock; Osula, Wissa, Barnes
Stuart Jamieson
Newcastle need to rest as many players as they can, but with options limited, I'm going for a change in formation to allow more scope for rotation.
A 4-4-2 line-up would allow Sandro Tonali and Jacob Ramsey to drop to the bench, with Joelinton and Joe Willock in the engine room, and widemen Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy playing slightly deeper.
It's the ideal game for Yoane Wissa to return after injury, and I'm partnering him with Will Osula up front, although I would like to see Sean Neave given a decent second-half run-out.
At the back, with Thiaw suspended, there's little choice but to ask Dan Burn to go again, alongside the returning Sven Botman. It's a big risk to change both full-backs, so let's see what Leo Shahar can do at right-back, with Lewis Hall starting and Alex Murphy ready to come on in the second half.
My NUFC XI: Ramsdale, Shahar, Botman, Burn, Hall, Joelinton, Willock, J Murphy, Barnes, Osula, Wissa
Pick your NUFC XI
How many changes would you make tonight? Pick your Newcastle starting line-up here.
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