Watching this Newcastle team against PSV.
United knew that a point would almost certainly be enough to clinch a Champions League play-off spot, while a win certainly would.
While wins over both PSV and PSG would likely be enough to guarantee a top eight finish in the Swiss League stage and automatic progression to the last sixteen knockout stages.
Eddie Howe and his players are hoping to achieve four Champions League victories, 13 points in total after seven games.
A Wednesday kick-off at 8pm tonight at St James’ Park.
As a reminder, this was the Newcastle team against Wolves three days ago:
Pope, Tripper, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton, Bruno, Barnes, Gordon, Woltemade
Eddie Howe’s pre-match press conference took place on Tuesday and at least seven players will be unavailable today.
Jacob Murphy, Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento, Dan Burn, Jamaal Lascelles, Emil Krafth and Will Osula on the absent list.
Eddie Howe reveals Burn and Osula have returned to training but will not be in the matchday squad tonight.
If you take all that into consideration…
This is my predicted Newcastle team against PSV:
Pope.
If the above comes to fruition, it would mean two changes for Eddie Howe from the team that started against Wolves.
Entering – Miley, Wissa
Drop out – Trippier, Woltemade
With at least seven players missing, things aren’t getting any easier for Eddie Howe. Especially with so many matches in quick succession.
After tonight it’s Villa at home on Sunday, PSG away on Wednesday, Liverpool away on Saturday, Man City away on Wednesday.
It is clear that Eddie Howe, unlike us, has all the data and the physical condition of the players. What form they are to be playing at Wolves three days after a pretty intense match. So my predicted Newcastle team against PSV is based on everyone who was in the matchday squad on Sunday.
I don’t see Kieran Trippier starting again tonight after his shift on Sunday, and of course Lewis Miley would have done well there coming on.
I also think Eddie Howe will switch it up with the two strikers, this time Yoane Wissa starts and Nick Woltemade comes off the bench at some point in the game.
Other than that, I think Eddie Howe went with what he considered the best available team on Sunday, so it will give them another chance in what will be a much more open game.
Wolves were so ultra-defensive and PSV certainly doesn’t play that way!
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