🏆 Blackburn (A): Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction

by Olly Hawkins · 26 February 2024, 19:45

After Saturday night's dismal display at Arsenal, what was always going to be a big week for Newcastle United just got even bigger.

Losing at Arsenal isn't the problem, it was the nature of our performance. What happened to Eddie Howe's high-intensity Mags who get in your face, snap into tackles, defend well and refuse to roll over? We have had a season full of injuries, off-field issues and unlucky draws, but we need to improve to make something of 2023/24.

Blackburn is a huge chance to do exactly that. Win and we're into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, one win from Wembley (where the semi-finals will be held) and heading into Wolves - who leapfrogged us on Sunday - with some much-needed momentum and hope.

Speaking about Saturday's defeat and tomorrow's trip to Ewood Park, Howe said: "My initial analysis of Arsenal was very similar to how I feel now. We need to better in lots of different areas of the game. Normally we do, but it was a difficult day for us. After a performance like that you want a chance to respond very quickly."

"It's a huge game for us. We're absolutely committed to the FA Cup to do well and have been all season. We've had two difficult games away from home to get to this stage and now another one. We've been looking forward to this game so we know how important it is."

Team news

It's not clear if Martin Dubravka will recover from illness, Nick Pope is still several weeks away, but Joe Willock is 'very close' to starting and Alexander Isak came through 60 minutes at the Emirates unscathed.

Elliot Anderson and Matt Targett are 'close' to resuming training, but the likes of Joelinton and Callum Wilson remain out.

Predicted XI – Karius – Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Miley – Murphy, Isak, Barnes.

Nottingham Forest FC - Away Lounge available for Blackburn clash

This is a tough one. In goal, it sounds like Dubravka may not recover in time, but I'd argue that Karius deserves another shot after some decent stops on Saturday.

I can see Burn returning at left-back and wouldn't be surprised if Botman is given a night off after his stinker at the Emirates, allowing Lascelles to come in alongside Schar.

Willock is a tricky one. Howe will be so tempted to start him, but I think he'll be used from the bench and saved for Wolves on Saturday, as our current midfield three should have enough to beat Blackburn. If they don't, he is an ideal option from the bench.

In attack, I think we could see Barnes and Murphy out wide, with Isak or Gordon leading the line. Can Isak start three games in seven days after his groin issues? I'm not so sure and (like Willock) we'll need him against Wolves. However, Howe may feel he could play an hour again as he did at Arsenal. We must manage recent injuries carefully to stop them reoccurring, but we also want our best players on the pitch for a potentially season-defining game.

Prediction – Blackburn 1-3 Newcastle

We are shipping goals and have lost some of the hallmarks of an all-action Eddie Howe side in recent weeks, but this is our time to show some character and get back to winning ways.

We'd won four-straight away games prior to Arsenal and are facing a 16th-place Blackburn side who have the second worst defence in the Championship and lost their star player Adam Wharton to Crystal Palace in January.

Barnes to score in front of a packed out away end at Ewood Park to send Eddie's Mags into the last eight.

HOWAY THE LADS!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=546MSVZ7xAA&ab_channel=NewcastleUnited