Following our 1-0 win over Everton in midweek, Newcastle face a tough trip to Spurs this afternoon, knowing a win would take us into the top four.
Keeping injuries, recent form and today’s opposition in mind, here’s the starting 11 we think Eddie Howe could go with at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium come 4.30pm:
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett – Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock – Almiron, Wilson, Fraser.
I was surprised Howe went with another unchanged side in midweek, but that means rotation is almost inevitable this time around.
I think Matt Targett and Ryan Fraser will come in down the left, replacing Dan Burn and Jacob Murphy, with Joe Willock also seeming a good bet to return in midfield now Joelinton is struggling with a knee problem.
Bruno Guimaraes is one to watch. His first child was born on Friday morning, so it remains to be seen if he’ll be OK to make the trip to London. Given his importance to the side, let’s hope he’s able to play!
Howe might give 60-70 minutes to Wilson – who will be desperate to impress ahead of the World Cup – but we’ll need to be careful with our injury-prone striker given it would be hist third start in eight days, meaning Chris Wood could come into contention. With Isak out until after the World Cup and Saint-Maximin still out, Howe will be conscious of risking another key attacker.
I still back Fabian Schar to start, but he’s one yellow card away from a suspension – which would keep him out of next weekend’s meeting with Aston Villa – so if he’s still carrying that knock that forced him off at Old Trafford, Howe may be tempted to hand Jamaal Lascelles a rare start?
OUT: Burn, Joelinton, Murphy. IN: Targett, Willock, Fraser.
Did you write this in the Myrtle Tree?
Ian Scott(Quote)