After another international break and no Newcastle United game over the weekend, we are finally back in Premier League action tonight as West Ham arrive on Tyneside.
Here’s the XI we’re expecting to start when the team sheets are released at 6.45pm and why:
Predicted XI: Pope – Livramento, Schar, Kelly, Hall – Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock – Gordon, Isak, Joelinton.
Our one and only predicted change comes at centre-back, where Lloyd Kelly looks set to replace the suspended Dan Burn after the big man from Blyth received his fifth booking of the season last time out.
Elsewhere, I can see Eddie Howe sticking by the other 10 who started our 3-1 win at Nottingham Forest over two weeks ago, with both full-backs flying following England debuts, our midfield nicely balanced following Sean Longstaff’s return to the side, as well as Joelinton and Anthony Gordon impressing out wide either side of the in-form Alexander Isak.
Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes both helped change the game in the second half at Forest and will be pushing for starts, but they are likely to make up what could be a strong bench; especially if Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier are back in the squad.
