After the disappointment and surprise at such a poor showing at Crystal Palace, Newcastle United have the perfect opportunity to bounce back this weekend.
Bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United come to St James’ Park in a game that feels like a must-win for Eddie Howe’s Mags, with Man Utd moving three points above us after their comeback win over the Blades in midweek.
Chelsea also play twice over the next week, so a win here would not only keep our hopes of a sixth-place finish alive but boost our chances of staying in the top seven; which has to be the minimum target to secure European football in some form.
Reflecting on our defeat at Selhurst Park, Howe said: “We must learn and absorb all the lessons from Wednesday. Every game is so difficult, it is up to us to firstly go into the game with the right mentality and let our players express themselves in the right way. We have to finish the season strongly, we are under no illusions on how important these fixtures are.
Howe also discussed the battle for European football, saying: “There’s a host of teams that will be frustrated because we’ve all been inconsistent. We’re all searching for a formula and momentum lift into the last few games. We have tough games to play but we’re looking forward to the last five.”
Team news
Tino Livramento is due to train on Friday and could be fit enough to feature, Callum Wilson is back in contention after his cameo at Palace, but the game comes too soon for Kieran Trippier, Joelinton, Nick Pope and Miguel Almiron once again.
Matt Targett is the latest Mag who’s been ruled out for our remaining five games, joining Joe Willock, Lewis Miley, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles on the sidelines.
For Sheffield United, striker Oli McBurnie has been ruled out, Man City loanee James McAtee is a doubt and Jayden Bogle is facing a fitness test after he was forced off during Wednesday’s 4-2 defeat at Man Utd.
Predicted XI
(4-3-3): Dubravka – Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall – Longstaff, Bruno, Anderson – Gordon, Isak, Barnes.
This is dependant on Livramento being fit, but the fact he had Wednesday off and is back in training gives me hope he’ll be able to play this one. If not, I’d fully expect Krafth at right-back and Hall down our left to bring some balance back to our defence.
The midfield three picks itself with Joelinton, Miley, Willock and Tonali all missing, while the front three feels like our best trio on paper. I wouldn’t rule out a start for Wilson, but this one probably comes too soon for our No 9.
Prediction: Newcastle 3-0 Sheffield United
The Blades are shipping goals for fun and will be officially relegated if they lose here. Mix that with our need for three points, our appetite to bounce back from Wednesday and much improved home form and I can only see a convincing win for.
HOWAY THE LADS!
Hope your right Olly we need it
Icedog(Quote)
Let’s hope the lads are not too complacent and expect to win. Usually with that attitude it doesn’t end well … get the job done in the first half. Go at them. That’s what we need.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
They gave Man u a scare the other night before they got to grips with game. Hopefully we don’t assume they will roll over. Man utd will beat Burnley so we need to keep pressure on.
kimtoon(Quote)
How come Barnes misses out to Murphy?
Icedog(Quote)
Ice. Perhaps Barnes and Wilson are looked on as super-subs when Sheffield run out of steam?
nutmag(Quote)
Could be right mate
Icedog(Quote)
I actually like Murphy.
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
I like Murphy too and he’s naturally a right sided player so a better fit there with Gordon in his best position on the left. A strong side there I think with, finally, some good options on the bench.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
There you go, wakey wakey lads
Oh hang on offside check
kimtoon(Quote)
goal stands
Wake the **** up now lads
kimtoon(Quote)
Fucking hell… what the F is going on? Bast.ards need to wake up. 😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Fuming
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Getinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Isak
kimtoon(Quote)
Goooaaalll Isak
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Is Tino injured ?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
What is fucking up with this team? Sheffield should be 4 up? Where’s our fucking defence? 😡😡😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Longstaff getting pelters on twitter
kimtoon(Quote)
Longstaff needs upgrading in the summer for sure
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Awful first half, thank god for Isak
kimtoon(Quote)
Sh.ite first half. Eddie needs to blast these fu.ckers at half time 😡😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I get Sheff Utd are fighting for their lives as could be relegated today – but we are definitely helping them like 🙄.
Longstaff & Bruno are both poor goal scoring midfielders. Bruno obviously brings alot more but we shouldn’t be pushing him forward imo – he doesn’t strike the ball well at all.
Isak is just outstanding!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I quite like that Bereton Diaz. I know he favours the left winger but can play CF too – would be good replacement for Wilson I reckon
Sharpy17(Quote)
Schär off and Krafth on. 😬😳
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Brunooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
kimtoon(Quote)
Yesssssssssss get innnnnnnnnn Bruno
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Pen?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
pen
kimtoon(Quote)
Getinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Isak
kimtoon(Quote)
Get innnnnn. Isak again.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Please please please keep both Isak & Bruno
Sharpy17(Quote)
Goaaaaalllllllllll 4-1
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Who’s goal?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
4 up OG
kimtoon(Quote)
Gilly , Osborn
kimtoon(Quote)
Ah the radio reporting it was given to Bruno
Gilly Toon(Quote)
What’s he taking Ando off for man????
Give the kid some game time FFS!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’d love Isak to finally get his hat trick
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Wilsoooooooon 5-1
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Wilsonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
get in
kimtoon(Quote)
Well, I guess they woke up! 😂😂
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I know we are 5-1 up and I shouldn’t twist but leave Hall on & put Alex Murphy on for Burn – give the young uns some game time!!
Bring Joe White on instead of Ritchie
Sharpy17(Quote)
He plays the ball man!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
no pen, bad day at office now for S UTD
kimtoon(Quote)
Man utd drawing but no doubt they get a late winner
kimtoon(Quote)
Man u struggled v S UTD and again today v Burnley
kimtoon(Quote)
We have to beat Manure! I’d love it if we beat them! 😂😂
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Well that went from a game & a half of really poor football to 45mins of very good, clinical football.
I don’t think we gain anything focusing on the positives in this one – and I don’t think it’s negative to focus on the things that need improving after a 5-1 win either.
Sharpy17(Quote)