Predicted Newcastle team vs Southampton - Eddie Howe facing two dilemmas?

With Newcastle's opening game of the 2024/25 Premier League season just 10 days away, it's time to predict which side looks likely to start against Southampton, as things stand.

A lot could change - we may sign Marc Guehi and performances over this weekend's Sela Cup games against Girona and Brest may alter Eddie Howe's thinking - and for me the two dilemmas are at RB and LW.

Will he hand starts to Livramento and Barnes - two players who've featured heavily over pre-season - or throw Trippier and Gordon straight back into the side despite the pair only returning yesterday? Here's what I've gone for and why:

GK: Nick Pope - A no-brainer now he's fit again. Badly missed over the back end of last season and looked superb in recent friendly wins over Hull and Urawa Red Diamonds.

RB: Tino Livramento - Fit again and looking in great shape (he's definitely been hitting the gym this summer!) after missing our final two games of 2023/24. With Kieran Trippier only returning yesterday after a busy summer, I think Tino will get the nod against his former club, not that I'd be shocked if our vice-captain came straight back in.

RCB: Fabian Schar - Nailed on. Our Swiss dreamboat is ageing like a fine wine and key to creating from deep in that right-sided role.

LCB: Dan Burn - With Sven Botman injured, Lloyd Kelly still building up his fitness (he's only managed 45 minutes over pre-season so far) and Marc Guehi yet to sign, I think we'll see Burn at centre-back with the captains armband.

LB: Lewis Hall - No one has played more over pre-season than our £28m arrival from Chelsea, with the teenager racking up 284 minutes across our friendlies. He ended last season in great form, has looked sharp over pre-season and will surely start at left-back.

RCM: Sean Longstaff - With Sandro Tonali still suspended until we face Spurs on September 1st and Lewis Miley out injured, Longstaff looks set to continue on the right side of a midfield three.

CM: Bruno Guimaraes - Going nowhere and refreshed from a summer break, our Brazilian maestro will be back at the heart of our midfield. We can't wait to see him back in action.

LCM: Joelinton - Joe Willock is fit again, but heading into the Sela Weekender he's only managed 45 minutes of action so far this summer. In contrast, only two players (Hall and Krafth) have featured more than Joelinton (263 minutes) over our pre-season friendlies. The big man often sets the tone for our pressing at St James' Park and could help us dominate the newly promoted Saints in midfield.

RW: Jacob Murphy - On fire over pre-season with four goals and a few assists. We're yet to sign a new right-winger and Miguel Almiron was given more time off after competing at Copa America with Paraguay. Murphy deserves to start.

ST: Alexander Isak - Our star man in attack and last season's top scorer, who will be looking to better the 21 league goals managed across 2023/24. Has scored three in pre-season heading into the Sela Weekender.

LW: Anthony Gordon - A part of me believes it'll be Barnes given the fact Gordon has only just returned from an extended break. However, he's supremely fit, is the heartbeat of our attack down that left and will come back with a point to prove after his baffling lack of minutes at Euro 2024. Howe may also want to send out a message to those on Merseyside believing his head's been turned by Liverpool.

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Pope - Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall - Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton - Murphy, Isak, Gordon.

How do you see us lining up next Saturday? Let us know in the comments below!