Watching this Newcastle team against Aston Villa.
Eddie Howe’s side will be looking to build on a run of 10 points from a possible 12 in their last four Premier League games.
If United win and other results go their way, NUFC could potentially end the weekend in fourth place.
Eddie Howe has won all four games at St James’ Park against Aston Villa and if he were to make it five in a row, Newcastle would close the gap to seven points behind Villa, who are third.
Newcastle United will be aiming to continue the form that saw them comfortably beat PSV 3-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday.
As a reminder, this was Newcastle’s team against PSV four days ago:
Pope, Tripper, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonal, Joelinton, Bruno, Barnes, Gordon, Wissa
After Eddie Howe’s pre-match press conference on Friday, it looks like Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento, Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth will all definitely not be there today.
However, with Jacob Murphy, Dan Burn and Will Osula, one or more of them could potentially be part of today’s squad as Eddie Howe keeps his cards close to his chest as usual.
The same applies to the situation of Bruno Guimaraes. United’s captain left against PSV with an ankle injury, but it is still unclear whether he will be there today.
If you take all that into consideration…
This is my predicted Newcastle team vs Aston Villa:
Pope, Tripper, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton, Miley, Elanga, Gordon, Wissa
If the above becomes reality, it would mean two changes for Eddie Howe compared to the team that started against PSV.
Entering – Miley, Elanga
Dropping out – Bruno, Barnes
Eddie Howe, as always, has the challenge of balancing so many games with a limited number of players.
At the same time, though, I think the United boss will prioritize today over PSG on Wednesday.
In terms of: I think Eddie Howe will play his best available team today and then worry about PSG.
The only exception to that, in a sense, will be that I think he’ll use Harvey Barnes as an impact sub today. Barnes has played a lot of football lately and played against PSV until the end.
In contrast, we saw Anthony Gordon, Joelinton and Yoane Wissa all come on after 70 minutes on Wednesday, so I expect those three to all start again today.
No surprise if Bruno Guimaraes rebounds and starts against Villa. However, I think that even if Eddie Howe is available, he will be a little careful with his talisman and have him on the bench.
Elanga did well as a substitute against PSV and I think Eddie Howe will build on that. The former Forest winger made his debut in the goalless draw at Villa Park on the opening day of the season and hopefully he can now make a good start in the final months of the season for him.
Aiming for the top five and securing more Champions League football next season will certainly be Newcastle United’s priority.
So with a win today Newcastle could potentially move up to fourth in the table, if other results go our way then I think Eddie Howe will be going all out AND closing the gap to seven points on third placed Villa.
With Villa playing in Turkey on Thursday evening, I think Eddie Howe will be looking for a similar high press to pay off against PSV. So with Gordon, Wissa and Elanga on the field he has the best chance of that.
Lewis Miley to fill in for Bruno in the absence of the captain seems an obvious move.
I think Woltemade will be one of those to come into the team on Wednesday night, as one of a number of changes, with a trip to Anfield just three nights later.
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