Newcastle are back in Premier League action later today, taking on Nottingham Forest a week on from last Saturday’s chaotic 4-4 draw at home to Luton.
Keeping in mind injuries, form and tonight’s opponents, here’s what side I think Eddie Howe will go with:
Predicted XI – Dubravka – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Livramento – Longstaff, Bruno, Miley – Murphy, Wilson, Almiron.
OUT: Burn and Gordon? IN: Livramento and Wilson?
Earlier this week, I had expected Harvey Barnes to start, but Howe did mention in Friday’s press conference that he “wouldn’t be in contention to start” if we had a fully-fit squad.
Anthony Gordon has been ruled out alongside Alexander Isak, so there’s a chance Barnes comes in from the off, I just think we could see Miguel Almiron on the left, Jacob Murphy down the right and a fit-again Callum Wilson up top after his cameo last weekend and Howe’s pre-match comments.
The midfield three will almost certainly stay the same, with Bruno, Miley and Longstaff our only fit and available options, but I think we’ll see Tino Livramento replace Dan Burn at left-back.
Howe has backed our Geordie giant and rightly so – he’s been a reliable player for two years now. However, he is starting to get targeted down our left, misses the protection Joelinton offers and was torn to shreds by Elanga in the reverse fixture on Boxing Day.
Howe is a master at deflection in his conferences so who knows what fully fit means, but he was pretty forthright on Gordon not playing.
He is pretty conservative with formations tho so I wouldnt be too surprised to see Barnes starting on bench
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