Just like this time last year, our opening game of the Carabao Cup sees us face Nottingham Forest – with the game selected to be shown live on Sky Sports tonight.
With Lascelles, Ritchie, Shelvey and Manquillo ruled out and rotation likely after Sunday’s 1-2 defeat to Chelsea, we can expect a few changes – with Rafa hinting that a few youngsters could start as a result.
With this in mind, here’s the team we think could start tonight’s game:
(4-2-3-1): Dubravka – Sterry, Schar, Fernandez, Dummett – Diame, Longstaff – Atsu, Perez, Kenedy – Muto
Muto looks set to start after a few cameo appearances in the league – with Rafa hinting that he could be played in his preferred position up too ‘soon’.
Youngsters Sterry and Longstaff look likely to play too. Benitez complimented how they’d been training and has already admitted that youngsters look likely to play with injuries and rotation in mind, so I see both starting.
What team would you like to see start?
