Just a few days on from Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Benfica at St James’ Park and we’re back again, this time facing Fulham in today’s Premier League meeting.
We must bounce back from last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Brighton, while Fulham will be looking to end a run that’s seen them lose their last three against Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Arsenal.
Here is the side we’re backing Eddie Howe to go with and why…
Predicted XI
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn – Bruno, Miley, Ramsey – Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.
An unchanged side from Tuesday is what I’m leaning towards, but it feels like Howe has four calls to make and several factors to consider with each:
- Start Miley again or bring Tonali back in?
- Start Ramsey again or bring Joelinton back in?
- Start Murphy again or bring Elanga or Barnes in?
- Can Trippier start three games in a week?
Starting with Miley, my reasons for the 19-year-old keeping his place are pretty simple. He was superb on Tuesday and doesn’t deserve to be ‘dropped’, coupled with the fact Tonali is still “not 100%” after picking up a bug.
Moving to Ramsey, he needs games to find is rhythm and is perhaps more suited to a home game against Fulham that we should be attacking, meaning Joelinton could be saved for Spurs next Wednesday?
Then to Murphy, I believe the right wing spot should remain his for now. Our assist king creates goals and clicks with Bruno, so changing our front three again would be unlike Howe if he’s looking for consistency.
As for Trippier, I would include him in Howe’s four big calls on the basis he’s 35 and rarely manages three games in a week now. However, with Tino and Hall out, and Thiaw (or Krafth) unlikely to slot in at right-back and break up his partnership with Botman, I think Trippier will be asked to go again.
How do you see us lining up a little later on? Let us know…
Unchanged from Tuesday except maybe trippier based on his durability. Livramento tho progressing feels a way off yet after Howe’s updates so I’d hope they give trippier some rest today ( along with Tonali) so he’s good to go against the spuds. The upside of moving thiaw to RB is it would give schar some game time and give attacking options with his passing. Downside is breaking up Botman / thiaw duo.
Howe needs to find a way to balance this demand on players against reducing effectiveness at the back while livramento out.
GR(Quote)