This feels like the start of a massive seven days for Newcastle United, who must bounce back from last weekend’s 4-2 defeat to Brentford and find some consistent form to save a season in danger of running away from us.
Goals have returned to the side – we’ve scored five in our last two – but we’ve also shipped seven in that time and Leicester may pose a problem we’ve often struggled with; breaking down a ‘lesser’ side in a game where we’re likely to have more of the ball.
This is the first of three big tests for Howe and the players over the next week, with Leicester – enjoying a new manager bounce under Ruud Van Nistelrooy – followed by a Carabao Cup quarter-final at home to Brentford before traveling to Ipswich next Saturday.
Whether it’s our struggle to break down low blocks, the conceding of poor goals, missed chances, the search for balance in midfield and/or feeling that the squad has gone stale after a lack of first-team investment in 2024, it’s vital we get going in the league – we currently sit 12th and five behind the top six – and keep our cup hopes alive
Howe’s pre-match comments
“To me he’s an inspirational player and I think when you’re in these moments for him, you have to understand how difficult this season has been for him.
“There’s been a couple of setbacks when he’s looked like he’s so close to training and playing regularly and building that resilience that his body needs to perform at this level. He has not cut corners, he’s gone through a vigorous process to try and keep himself fit.”
Team news
Callum Wilson is facing two months out after another hamstring injury, Nick Pope (knee) has been ruled out for a month and Joe Willock (hamstring) hasn’t trained yet but is making “good progress.”
Sven Botman (knee) won’t be back until later this month or ‘early January’, while Emil Krafth (collarbone) and Jamaal Lascelles (ACL) remain out.
For Leicester, first choice midfield pairing Wilf Ndidi (injury) and Bouba Soumaré (suspension) are out, while Harry Winks a doubt. As a result, Oliver Skipp and Hamza Choudhury could start in the middle.
Predicted line-up
(4-3-3): Dubravka – Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall – Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton – Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
Starting in goal, it sounds like Dubravka will get the nod ahead of Vlachodimos, with Howe forced to call on his back-up options between the sticks now Pope is facing a month on the sidelines.
I’m on the fence with this one, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Kieran Trippier got a start here, if not against Brentford. Livramento hasn’t done much wrong, but we lack quality to break down ‘lesser’ sides at St James’ Park and Trippier’s technical ability, link-up play and delivery is superior.
In midfield, Tonali looks set to return after fatigue kept him out of the starting line-up at Brentford. Longstaff is the obvious player to drop out, although he’s suspended for the Brentford cup tie, so we shall see. Either way, I think it’ll be a return to Tonali, Bruno and Joelinton, especially as Willock is yet to train this week.
Up top, Gordon will surely return down the left after looking far better in his best position against Liverpool. That would see Barnes drop out of the side, although Murphy arguably deserves another start down the right after a lively display against Liverpool and two assists in last weekend’s defeat at Brentford.
Match prediction
The Foxes have beaten West Ham 3-1 and salvaged a 2-2 draw against Brighton with two late goals since Van Nistelrooy came in, but they have conceded 19 times in their last six away games and will be without first choice midfielders Nidi and Soumare.
What we’ll see from Newcastle is anyone’s guess after a season that’s been consistently inconsistent, both home and away. However, I think our midfield three, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon will have too much for a Leicester side who rarely fail to score but almost always concede.
Isak to score twice in a comfortable home win that sets us up nicely for Wednesday.
Prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Leicester
Howay the lads!
It’s a sign of how unconvincing nufc have been that there isn’t optimism they should convincingly win a home game against a newly promoted team but here we are.
Pope out is a kicker and Dubravka or Vlachidimos coming in doesn’t inspire confidence esp with a back line succeptible to pace and aggression up against Vardy, who I must admit I’ve loved watching down the years.
Trippier coming in isn’t massively inspiring either given his form of late but I concur livramentos delivery is not a strong point.
I’m a fan of rotation f doing correctly and this is not a game for joelinton to start. Assuming a 433 with willock out I’d start with a mf 3 of tonali, guimaraes and livramento who is the closest to a driving midfielder of willocks type at the club. Joelinton and longstaff on to close out the game for the last 20 mins with nufc up by two goals 🤞
Jonesy(Quote)
Leicester are on a bounce and have been a permanent member of the prem league until last season .. they will want to get up the table .. missing two very good centre backs will help Newcastle ., I go with ollys team livramento or tripps .. .. hopefully a win to install confidence and get us out of the rut
Mike(Quote)
Come on. I know things haven’t been as consistent as previous seasons but no doubt we beat Leicester at home.
2-0 for me
Sharpy17(Quote)
Give the Greek lad a chance Dubravka will be gone soon hopefully, the young lads at the back have struggled lately with their defending. Give Trippier and Kelly a start , we need to rotate more especially after players have had tough times in the past few games letting too many goals in of late. Need Trippier back as captain and let Bruno focus on his game. Hwtl
Kiddafromthetoon(Quote)
Kidda – he’s gone Dubz.
But that’s my biggest problem with Howe at the moment. It’s clear the likes of Dubz, Target, Almiron and even Wilson (though I know he’s out) have no future at the club.
Yet Howe is putting these players on the bench & turning to them to change the game if needed – what incentive do they have?!.
They aren’t coming on looking to impress Howe as one of the younger players would be – and know whatever they do will still see them on the bench next week.
Bring some of the young uns through & give them a chance – especially if PSR is going to cause issues in Jan again
Sharpy17(Quote)
Need a big performance today. A must win if we are to get our season back on track.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
No finish no pass .. Murphy having one of those games 🙄
Jonesy(Quote)
Of course he scores .. get in jakey
Jonesy(Quote)
Get iiinnnnnn Murphy
Gilly Toon(Quote)
GET IN – lovely finish Murph lad 👏🏼👏🏼.
All previous efforts on his left foot by the way – not his strongest & most other players would bottle taking it on – no issues with him having a go & missing – annoys me more seeing plays not taking the shot and losing the ball trying to get it onto their stronger foot.
Lovely finish lad 💪🏻
Sharpy17(Quote)
Whatever .. the previous finishes for either foot were woeful
Credit to him For having the confidence to stick with it and to Gordon for trusting him
Jonesy(Quote)
Isak… 😡😡😡. What waste!
And Bruno should not be captain. Poor.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Jonesy – Isak one on one was the miss for me 🫣
Sharpy17(Quote)
And Burn not even hitting the target with his header
Sharpy17(Quote)
If Bruno hadn’t have dived I think the defender clatters him & it’s a penalty – the fact he started going down before the defender made the challenge was always going to rule it out.
Sharpy17(Quote)
2 and 3 yeeeesssssss
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Whey there’s me 2-0 and I fancy more .. and there it is 😂😂
Lovely play.
Really like Gordon & Hall combo and Tino & Murph are doing well too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
4. murphyyyyyy
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I know Murph could have had more but I think he’s been brilliant today like 🤷🏼♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
Job done. Clean sheet and a comfy win .. so all as it should be. Gordon on fire first half but quieter 2nd. The metronome that is tonali was outstanding and takes Motm for me.
No doubt Murphy will get his flowers for 2 foals from 5 gilt chances and good for him
Jonesy(Quote)
Well that was as comprehensive as it gets.
Not perfect, but very controlled and so much better in the final third. 4 goals and could have had at least 3 or 4 more. Was just good to see quality chances being created after a few weeks of very poor attacking displays
Sharpy17(Quote)
Jonesy – don’t know about flowers mate but certainly should get talked about in a positive manner. Yes he could have score another 2 or 3 – but his misses were on par with Isak so if Murphs is talked about it’s only fair to speak on those too imo.
But I’d be happier only focusing on the positives (not suggesting your not) and be happy with 4 good goals & numerous other really good chances created coz we’ve been poor in the final third recently.
I agree Tonali is bossing that midfield & I think Bruno is more affective stringing passes in the final third.
My player of the season so far though is Lewis Hall. Couldn’t get a sniff last season but at 19 his reading of the game & composure is unreal.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Hall, Murphy, Tonali and Gordon all outstanding today. I still wish we were more ruthless, we could’ve had lots more today, but we stepped off in the last 20 mins or so. Isak is very frustrating. Scores some great goals and then misses sitters. We still have not had a hat trick scorer in many years! Have we had a hat trick since Gini Wynaldum ? I cannot remember. And still not in the top half 🤷🏻♂️😂
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – I think Murphy’s right footed shot the keeper saved was his best missed chance.
I think Isak had 2 – the one on one in the first half & the one Murphy cut back for him in the second half – both straight at the keeper.
So 3 extra goals – but there were other less clean cut chances – Murphs left footed attempts, Bruno had a couple, and Burn put a header over in the first half that he should be putting away really.
But as fans we want to see every effort converted. I’m just pleased with the ones that went in & to see some better play in the final third – coz WH, Palace & Brentford were hard watches like
Sharpy17(Quote)
I thought Dubz played well today – but anyone know why we spent £20m on the Greek lad????
Sharpy17(Quote)
Vlachodimos was nothing more than a PSR-related deal – we had to sell someone to comply (Anderson) and so did Forest (Vlachodimos), so we did the deal.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Exactly Olly, but it’s a shame really for Vlachodimos. At least Anderson gets game time and can contribute to Forest, but he, as a keeper, is very limited coming into a team that already has two strong keepers. Just shows how ridiculous these PSR rules actually are.
Gilly Toon(Quote)