Following yesterday’s 2-0 win over Fiorentina, we can start to predict which 11 will start in today’s Sela Cup clash with Villarreal by process of elimination.
Here’s the side that started on Saturday, followed by the XI we’re expecting Eddie Howe to go with in a few hours time and why:
Starting XI vs Fiorentina: Dubravka – Trippier, Botman, Murphy, Targett – L.Miley, Tonali, Anderson – Almiron, Gordon, Isak
Predicted XI vs Villarreal: Pope – Murphy, Lascelles, Dummett, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton – Ritchie, Wilson, Barnes.
Loris Karius and a few youngsters who failed to play yesterday could well feature today, but that’s the side that looks likely to start based on injuries and availability, with a late knock to Javier Manquillo keeping him out.
Fabian Schar and Joe Willock aren’t ready just yet following hamstring injuries, Emil Krafth has only just returned to full training as he comes back from an ACL and Tino Livramento hasn’t signed just yet, despite being in the stands 24 hours ago.
Sean Longstaff missed our US tour with a niggling groin injury, but he’s back in training and should be OK. Manquillo’s absence could see Murphy fill in at right-back, creating space for Joelinton or Ritchie to take his place on the wing.
Remi Savage and Lucas De Bolle were on the bench against Fiorentina but didn’t get minutes, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see either come on at some point.
