Watching this Newcastle team against Manchester City.
United one round away from a third Carabao Cup final in four years.
Eddie Howe and his players will be hoping to make it five wins in a row after seeing nine points from a trio of league wins rise to the top six in the Premier League and progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup.
A Tuesday evening kick-off at 8pm at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United will be looking to continue their stunning home form since September as they have recorded 11 wins in 13 SJP games over the past four and a half months, with the other two ending in draws. In all thirteen home games, United scored at least two goals in every home game.
As a reminder, this was Newcastle’s team against Leeds six days ago:
Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Scale, Hall, Tonali, Bruno, Barnes, Gordon, Woltemade
I used this as a starting point to predict the Newcastle team against Manchester City, as Eddie Howe made seven changes for the Bournemouth FA Cup match on Saturday.
Eddie Howe’s pre-match press conference took place on Monday and Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento, Dan Burn, Jamaal Lascelles, Emil Krafth and Will Osula were expected to miss tonight.
However, the NUFC head coach said Anthony Elanga and Jacob Murphy could potentially return to the matchday squad, saying the pair would train on Monday and Eddie Howe would see how they were doing.
Eddie Howe also said this about the team selection ahead of the game against Man City, after the Leeds and Bournemouth games in quick succession:
“I will have discussions with the medical team and the performance team; physical levels and energy levels are of utmost importance for this competition.
“We will have to make decisions based on that.
“This is a huge challenge. Some players have just played 120 minutes and are asked to go again a few days later, but I would like to think that, physically and mentally, we will be ready to go again at kick-off.”
If you take all that into consideration…
This is my predicted Newcastle team vs Bournemouth:
Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton, Bruno, Gordon, Jacob Murphy, Wissa
If the above comes to fruition, it would mean three changes for Eddie Howe from the side that started against Leeds last midweek.
Incoming – Botman, Jacob Murphy, Wissa
With withdrawal – Schar, Barnes, Woltemade
The additional injuries to Tino and Schar have complicated things as I think they both would have started tonight.
Pope will certainly be in goal and hopefully Thiaw and Botman can play in the middle, as the only two fit and available centre-backs.
Hall played the full match against Leeds and had to come on after an hour on Saturday when Tino was injured. Hopefully he can play tonight, such a good essential player for big games.
Trippier did well on Saturday, but his first start for a while. Miley replaced him after 69 minutes and I expect the teenager to start at right back.
I definitely think Eddie Howe intended to play his first choice midfield position for this.
Tonali played the first half against Leeds and then the full match on Saturday, a vital player even if not at his best.
Bruno and Joelinton played the full match against Leeds and then both came on with twenty minutes to go against Bournemouth, very much with Manchester City in mind tonight. Of course, the pair ended up having to play more than 30 minutes more than intended, but it is what it is and shouldn’t deter them from starting tonight.
I’d be surprised if Harvey Barnes started, and I’d be surprised if Anthony Gordon didn’t.
Barnes played all of the last two games and I can definitely see Eddie Howe wanting him available as an impact sub for the final 25-30 minutes.
Gordon came off with ten minutes remaining against Leeds and then came on with twenty minutes of normal time remaining against Bournemouth.
Eddie Howe will want the likes of Gordon to put as much pressure as possible on Man City’s second-choice goalkeeper and a back four for which so many key players are unavailable.
Yoane Wissa the same, coming into action in the 75th minute against Leeds and playing until being subbed off in 70 minutes against Bournemouth, while Big Nick played the full game in the FA Cup match. Together with Barnes, Woltemade will be seen as a game changer from the bench, or hopefully further improve an already very good situation when he comes on.
Jacob Murphy came on with ten minutes to play against Leeds and was not involved this weekend. Eddie Howe spoke about the big change he made against Crystal Palace last weekend. I think he will play on the right if available, although it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Eddie Howe slots Elanga in straight and looks to his pace to disrupt the second-choice Man City defence.
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