With today’s 5.30pm kick off at St James’ Park fast approaching, it’s a good time to predict the starting 11 Eddie Howe will select to face Chelsea.
Keeping form, fitness and today’s opposition in mind, here’s the side we expect to start and why:
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Guimaraes, Longstaff, Willock – Almiron, Wood, Joelinton.
I fully expect Howe to go with the defence that’s served us so well in recent weeks, meaning Trippier, Botman and Schar should come back in, with Burn back in at left-back.
A midfield three of Guimaraes, Willock and Longstaff seems likely, with Joelinton on the left and Almiron down the right.
The big question is who starts up top. Howe revealed on Friday morning that Wilson has trained separately this week, although it’s not clear if that was to minimise the spread or simply because he wasn’t well enough to take part. I imagine it’s a bit of both, but don’t think Howe will take a risk on our number nine.
If he’s still not feeling 100% after his earlier withdrawal last weekend, Howe will be reluctant to throw him back in – especially when he’s days away from flying to Qatar with the England squad. With that in mind, I think Wood will keep his place. He offered very little in midweek, but did take his goal very well at Southampton.
I wouldn’t rule out Murphy returning down the left and Joelinton starting up top, as he’s more mobile than Wood and able to press at a greater intensity, however I think the Kiwi could be given another start if Wilson isn’t risked.
OUT: Lascelles, Targett, Manquillo, Shelvey, Saint-Maximin, Anderson?
IN: Botman, Schar, Trippier, Willock, Guimaraes, Almiron?
