The team sheets are in at St James’ Park, where Eddie Howe has made a few changes from last Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Fulham as we prepare to face Man City in today’s 12.30pm kick-off on Tyneside.
STARTING XI: Pope – Trippier, Schar, Burn, Hall – Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton – Murphy, Gordon, Barnes.
SUBS: Dubravka, Krafth, Osula, Livramento, Almiron, Kelly, Willock, Longstaff, A.Murphy
Three changes from last time out see Sandro Tonali come in for his first Premier League start since returning from a ban, with Lewis Hall and Jacob Murphy also returning to Howe’s starting XI.
Unfortunately, a toe issue has kept Alexander Isak out of this one, while Joe Willock drops to the bench along with Lloyd Kelly after the pair struggled at Craven Cottage last week.
Callum Wilson (back/hamstring), Lewis Miley (foot), Sven Botman (ACL), Jamaal Lascelles (ACL) and Matt Targett (eczema flare-up) all miss out and Man City are without Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Nathan Ake.
A tough test against the Champions and huge job to keep Erling Haaland quiet after 10 goals in his first five games this season, but let’s hope the lads can respond following to last weekend’s dismal display and take advantage of a City side without two of their star midfielders.
HWTL!
When you look at Foden sitting on the bench… yeah they are really weakened.
Personally would have dropped Joelinton for Longstaff.
Joseph(Quote)