Predicted Newcastle 11 to face Wolves - Howe facing four big calls?

Ahead of today's 4.30pm kick-off at Molineux, it's time to predict which side Eddie Howe will go with as we prepare to take on Wolves.

Here's who I think he'll go with and why as we bid to keep up our unbeaten start to 2024/25:

Predicted XI: (4-3-3) Pope – Livramento, Schar, Burn, Kelly – Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton – Gordon, Isak, Barnes.

For me, Howe has four big calls to make at right-back, centre-back, left-back and on the right side of our midfield three.

Starting at right-back Trippier may be pushing Livramento after the former has spent all of the international break training on Tyneside with Howe, but I think Tino keeps his place after no minutes for England and a superb display in our 2-1 win over Spurs.

I think we’ll see Schar replace Krafth at centre-back, as he's back from a ban and is the superior player when fit, especially for his ball-playing qualities. Kafth has been superb, but his injury niggle over the break could make Howe’s mind up.

At left-back, I think Howe will hand Kelly another start despite calls for Hall, who bagged two assists for England’s U21s over the break. In midfield, I’d love to see Tonali come back in but I think Howe might just stick with Longstaff, for now, given he's not let us down in recent games.

In attack, I’d expect to see the same front three of Gordon, Isak and Barnes, as all three should come into this one confident and ready to kick on. Gordon and Isak performed well for their country and Barnes has a goal and an assist in his last two Premier League appearances.