It’s a massive, must-win game at St James’ Park tonight, as Newcastle United take on Manchester United at 8.15pm.
While the Red Devils have won six and drawn one of their last seven league games under Michael Carrick, picking up 19 points in that period, Eddie Howe’s Mags have won just once in that time, losing five and drawing one.
Our Premier League form simply must improve, and quickly, if we’re to have any chance of securing a top seven finish, especially as results did not go our way last night.
The question now is who starts? Here is the side we’re backing Howe to select when the team sheet come out at 7pm…
Predicted XI
(4-3-3): Ramsdale – Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall – Ramsey, Tonali, Joelinton – Murphy, Gordon, Barnes.
Starting in goal, I don’t have much faith in Aaron Ramsdale, who clearly isn’t the answer long term, but Nick Pope has made too many errors of late, with Saturday’s howler against Everton his worst yet.
At the back, Dan Burn hasn’t missed a minute over the last three weeks, starting six out of six in that period. However, he’s been poor in recent home games against Everton and Qarabag (against much poorer strikers than Benjamin Sesko), so I’m backing Sven Botman to return alongside Malick Thiaw.
In midfield, Jacob Ramsey has overcome a sickness bug and Joelinton will surely drop back into a deeper role after Saturday’s left-wing experiment backfired.
Up top, I think we’ll see two changes. Harvey Barnes back into the side, replacing an unwell Nick Woltemade, and Jacob Murphy replacing Anthony Elanga on the right.
OUT: Pope, Burn, Woltemade, Elanga.
IN: Ramsdale, Botman, Barnes, Murphy.
How do you see us lining up later on? Let us know in the comments section below.