Newcastle vs Barnsley: Pre-match thoughts, team news & predicted-line ups

Olly Hawkins

With promotion already confirmed, Newcastle have their eyes on a final day victory that could yet see them lift the Championship title at St. James’ Park on Sunday.

Our title hopes looked all but over just a few weeks ago, however consecutive defeats for Brighton have seen us close the gap to just a point going into tomorrow’s final day.

To simplify matters, Newcastle MUST better Brighton’s result to be crowned Champions tomorrow.

Brighton face a trip to Villa Park in tomorrow’s 12pm kick offs, with Newcastle relying on Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa to the Magpies a big favour.

Should Brighton lose, a draw would be enough; seeing us win the title on goal difference. Should Brighton draw, a win over Barnsley will be required to see Newcastle lift the trophy at St. James’. A Brighton win and the title goes to Chris Hughton’s men – regardless of our result against Barnsley.

 

 

The opposition

 

Barnsley have just 1 win in their last 13 Championship games, losing 5 of their last 6 away from home.

Like recent opponents Preston and Cardiff, Barnsley have little to play for, lying comfortably in mid-table in 14th position

Top scorer Marley Watkins has 10 goals and 8 assists this season for the Tykes and could be one to watch tomorrow.

 

 

Team news

Jamaal Lascelles will miss out following groin surgery whilst Matt Ritchie is suspended. 

Dwight Gayle won’t be risked but could return to the squad after taking part in first team training this week.

Vurnon Anita, Rolando Aarons, Jesus Gamez and Grant Hanley are doubts.

Barnsley will be without captain and first choice centre-back Marc Roberts, while on-loan striker Adam Armstrong is ineligible to face his parent club.

 

Predicted line-up

Newcastle United XI – (4-2-3-1) – Elliot – Yedlin, Mbemba, Clark, Dummett – Shelvey, Hayden – Perez, Diame, Atsu – Mitrovic

Barnsley XI – (4-4-2) Davies – Jones, MacDonald, Jackson, Elder – Scowen, James, Moncur, Kent – Bradshaw, Watkins

TWO changes from Cardiff?

Colback OUT, Shelvey IN? In fairness, Colback put in a steady display away to Cardiff last time out, however this is a game United need to win. With this in mind, I fully expect the more forward thinking Jonjo Shelvey to return to the starting line up.

Murphy OUT, Mitrovic IN? The Irishman was anonymous in last Friday’s win at Cardiff, looking a little sluggish and off the pace. Mitrovic’s lack of goals is a worry, but the Serbian’s all round play has been much improved in recent weeks. I expect Rafa to hand him another chance tomorrow.

 

Match prediction

With the title at stake, we have everything to play for whilst Barnsley could have one eye on their summer holidays.

I expect Newcastle to attack this one from the off and be full of energy and enthusiasm, with tomorrow’s opportunity likely to be seen as a real bonus given Brighton’s considerable lead at the top just a few weeks ago.

To win the title would be the cherry on the top of a successful season and I don’t see us slipping up. Let’s just hope Brighton do!

Prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Barnsley

 

Whatever happens tomorrow, I will stay to the end, celebrating our promotion back to the Premier League after a tremendous effort from Benitez an the boys.

Howay the lads!

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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106 thoughts on “Newcastle vs Barnsley: Pre-match thoughts, team news & predicted-line ups”

  1. Olly: I think I picked the same team as you a couple of days ago, but I thought Rafa would still go with Colback. Icedog said I was out of my mind 🙂

    I think we might see Aarons. Remember last year he came on and took Spurs apart for half an hour? Maybe this game will be his half an hour a season appearance.

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  3. I am not really getting why we are not on TV. Did they think the title race was over and have to schedule a few weeks in advance? This is not a rhetorical question, I really don’t understand why they are not showing the deciders. Are Brighton on? Them against Villa would seem like a decent game to show.

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  4. Eric Sykes:
    Olly: I think I picked the same team as you a couple of days ago, but I thought Rafa would still go with Colback. Icedog said I was out of my mind

    I think we might see Aarons. Remember last year he came on and took Spurs apart for half an hour? Maybe this game will be his half an hour a season appearance.

    I don’t think your out your mind,just a bit pissed,you must be going for him,I hate playing with ten myself 😆

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  7. Icedog: I don’t think your out your mind,just a bit pissed,you must be going for him,I hate playing with ten myself

    Ice: I think we will get some money for Colback in this crazy transfer market. he has started more than half our games, and we are an automatic promotion team. He was also picked for an England squad once. My main problem with the lad is the stupid fouls he gives away around the box, but you can’t fault his work rate. That’s what a lot of teams in the Championship are looking for, a grafter. I reckon somebody like Villa would give us 3-5 million for him.

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  9. I’m still hopeful about today. Villa Park is a horrible place to go needing a result, as we know very well. People say the Villa fans will not be up for it but it’s the players that they will need to beat not the fans and all the pressure is on Brighton. The mackems had no pressure yesterday and look how that game went at Hull! We can just relax and play at home under less pressure and I really think we will win today. Villa have only lost 3 times at home all season, that’s less than us.

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  10. Darlow might come back in so that’s probably the team Olly picked. Should be a good occasion but the result is largely irrelevant.

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  11. Eric Sykes: Ice: I think we will get some money for Colback in this crazy transfer market. he has started more than half our games, and we are an automatic promotion team. He was also picked for an England squad once. My main problem with the lad is the stupid fouls he gives away around the box, but you can’t fault his work rate. That’s what a lot of teams in the Championship are looking for, a grafter. I reckon somebody like Villa would give us 3-5 million for him.

    your dead right mate there will be clubs to take him,quicker the better lol but a good shout will swell the kitty for Rafa

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  13. WTF. Just seen the TV games. Forest/Ipswich and Brentford/Blackburn. I know there is a bit of drama in relegation but us and Brighton still have something to play for. Villa still have a following. Most people have ignored Forest and Ipswich for years (30+ since Robson and Clough).

    I am guessing they will get an audience of about 5 people outside of the towns that are actually featured.

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  14. well this is my shout for a sstriker to score the goals for us his stats are very very good where ever he goes een his assits are good,BOS DOST

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  16. Eric, Re the TV games, I think they feel that the relegation deciders are more important given the clubs involved in them. Not so much Brentford but the other three all have big history at top level and it’s really sad to see their collective demise. Us and Brighton are up it’s just bragging rights over the title now.
    They are showing the Liverpool game, I would of bumped that and shown us or brighton and had the other game on the red button or something.

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  17. icedog:
    well this is my shout for a sstriker to score the goals for us his stats are very very good where ever he goes een his assits are good,BOS DOST

    Ice, are we not linked with him every window mate?

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  18. kimtoon:
    Eric, Re the TV games, I think they feel that the relegation deciders are more important given the clubs involved in them. Not so much Brentford but the other three all have big history at top level and it’s really sad to see their collective demise. Us and Brighton are up it’s just bragging rights over the title now.
    They are showing the Liverpool game, I would of bumped that and shown us or brighton and had the other game on the red button or something.

    Kimtoon: I understand it is drama. Would have liked to have seen the crowd reaction at SJP that’s all.

    Southampton are Liverpool’s (Southampton North) bogey team but have nothing to play for. For once, I want the Scousers to win to keep the pressure on Mourinho and Arsenal.

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  19. Bas Dost went to Sporting for 10 million euros, although that must have doubled given the season he has had. Sounds like a bargain. Swap him for Mitro?

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  20. We need a player where the commentators get to say both names like Dele Alli, John Terry and Harry Kane. So let’s go for Bas Dost.

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  24. If you look at the team sheet I think it’s likely Colback is playing at LB with Dummet moved inside. A good opportunity for him if that’s the case.

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  25. So, will there be no stream links either?
    Supposedly playing live in a couple toon venues so must be available somehow surely?

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  27. Saw some stats on the likely fallen “giants” playing today, and one of them is going down:

    38 years since Forest won the European Cup
    22 years since Blackburn won the Premier League
    6 years since Birmingham won the League Cup

    All have won something since we last did.

    Do you know what they have in common now? Disinterested, shambolic and idiotic owners. Mike Ashley take notice and don’t fck up with Rafa next week.

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  28. radio

    Cheers Kim. Bloody typical that though, playing for the title and still swept under the rug.

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  33. Eric Sykes:
    Saw some stats on the likely fallen “giants” playing today, and one of them is going down:

    38 years since Forest won the European Cup
    22 years since Blackburn won the Premier League
    6 years since Birmingham won the League Cup

    All have won something since we last did.

    Do you know what they have in common now? Disinterested, shambolic and idiotic owners. Mike Ashley take notice and don’t fck up with Rafa next week.

    Spot on mate, there for the grace of god and all that.

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  35. Hudders losing, they really did bottle it in the end didn’t they.

    Blackburn have scored

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  49. Sunday is a working day for me. Closed my office door and told my boss I’m listening to the match. He said fine no problem. ? I’ve a good boss. So far so good. Will be a long second half. Mitro has to take some of these chances. Last chance saloon perhaps.

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  50. ****–that radio stream on the club site just went haywire.

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  54. kimtoon:
    Birmingham ahead at Bristol

    Villa should be ahead apparently

    They have their best striker missing with bad injury,hope they don’t miss him today

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  57. Oh no. Villa down to 10 and penalty to brighton. I think we are ******. ?

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  58. Icedog: They have their best striker missing with bad injury,hope they don’t miss him today

    Yeah Kodija out injured ex Bristol City player.
    Villa missing all them chances, and now down to 10 twats

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  59. Well I guess that is that then. But the fat lady is not singing just yet. ?

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  60. That Brighton pen better be a stone waller, will be spittin mad if they win by a dodgy decision . Had a gut full of refs in this league.

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