As tonight’s cup match at St James’ Park edges closer, it’s time to predict what side Eddie Howe will go with against Bradford City.

An opportunity to start our Carabao Cup defence and make the last 16 of this season’s competition awaits, and Howe has vowed to select a strong side.

We expect a mixture of first team stars and fringe men motivated to impress, with the right balance required to see off the in-form League One leaders whilst also sending us into Sunday’s clash with Arsenal in a strong position.

Predicted XI

(4-3-3): Ramsdale – Krafth, Lascelles, Botman, Hall – Miley, Bruno, Willock – Elanga, Osula, Gordon. 

We’re backing Howe to make SEVEN changes from Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Bournemouth heading into tonight’s Carabao Cup third round tie.

This would mean Nick Pope, Malick Thiaw, Dan Burn, Tino Livramento, Sandro Tonali, Jacob Murphy and Nick Woltemade are replaced by Aaron Ramsdale, Jamaal Lascelles, Emil Krafth, Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Elanga, Anthony Gordon and Will Osula.

Kieran Trippier is an option and may return to the side after a rest on Sunday, but he’s now 35 and may now be suited to playing in midweek if Howe plans to use him against Arsenal and again in the Champions League next Wednesday.

This would mean rare starts for Krafth and Lascelles, an opportunity for Hall, Miley and Willock to build match sharpness and confidence, and Ramsdale’s first competitive appearance in goal.

I think Bruno will come back in after his rest on Sunday and fully expect Osula to start up top, with Woltemade’s minutes needing to be managed as he builds up his fitness levels heading into tough games against Arsenal and Union SG over the next week.

Out wide, Gordon’s return from a ban means he could do with a start to improve his sharpness, while Elanga will be keen to impress after he’s been limited to late cameos in two of our last three games.

How do you see us lining up tonight? Let us know in the comment section below…