As kick-off edges closer ahead of today’s 4.30pm clash at St James’ Park, it’s time to predict which Newcastle United side will take on Arsenal a little later on.

Eddie Howe’s Mags can move above Chelsea with a win and just one behind the Gunners, while Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will be looking to gain on title favourites Liverpool after they suffered their first loss of the season at Crystal Palace yesterday.

After plenty of rotation across our last two games against Bournemouth and Bradford, here is the side we think Eddie Howe may go with and why, featuring seven changes from our midweel win in the Carabao Cup:

Predicted XI

(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Livramento – Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton – Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.

At the back, I expect Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier to return after rests in midweek, with Tino Livramento also my pick to remain at left-back. Lewis Hall will lock down that position again soon, but I’m not sure he’ll start three games in a week just yet after playing against Bournemouth and Bradford.

Sven Botman has been superb in our last two games, but with Burn coming back and the Dutchman more comfortable in that left-sided role, I think we’ll see Malick Thiaw play again in that right-sided role.

The midfield three pick themselves; Sandro Tonali was rested in midweek and our two Brazilians Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton will have benefited from that day off at Bournemouth a week ago today.

In attack, big Nick Woltemade will return up top, Anthony Gordon should come in down the left now he’s back from a ban and Jacob Murphy is likely to get the nod down our right after Anthony Elanga didn’t quite grasp his chance in midweek.

Harvey Barnes hasn’t started either of our last two games, but he’s out of form right now and shouldn’t start this one now Gordon’s back.