4 changes? – Predicted Newcastle team vs Athletic Bilbao as Howe reveals dilemma

As we build towards tonight’s 8pm kick-off in the UEFA Champions League, it’s time to predict which side Eddie Howe will select to face Athletic Bilbao.

Newcastle have won four games in a row at St James’ Park, but must bounce back from Sunday’s dismal display at West Ham, while Bilbao have won one of their last four, beating Qarabag 3-1 in their previous UCL league game a fortnight ago.

It’s a tough one to call tonight, but here is the side we’re backing Howe to go with and why…

Predicted line-up

(4-3-3):Pope – Trippier, Schar, Thiaw, Burn – Miley, Tonali, Ramsey – Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.

It’s worth sharing Howe’s pre-match message on team selection, highlighting the dilemma he faces tonight:

“Difficult team to pick I think off the back of Sunday because you could make wholesale changes or you could give the main group of players a chance to redeem themselves for what they delivered and what we delivered. So yeah, I’m still not 100% there with my team, although it’s 99% there.”

Keeping these quotes in mind, I think we’ll see a mixture of the two, seeing Pope keep his place (for now at least), Trippier return at right-back, Schar come into the side and Burn to keep his place at left-back with Hall not yet ready to start.

Bruno’s illness could mean Miley comes in, even if he’s ‘OK’ to play. This could make sense when Miley stepped in so well in our last Champions League game against Benfica, also would also allow Bruno to rest up ahead of Brentford after he was noticeably off it at West Ham.

I fancy Ramsey to come in for Joelinton, giving us that extra bit of technical quality and drive down our left, and I think Gordon will be given the chance to redeem himself, coupled with the fact he has four goals in three UCL games so far.

That would seem generous of Howe after his stinker on Sunday and slightly harsh on Barnes, although I wouldn’t rule out him playing down the right after he scored twice on that side against Benfica.

But, with Murphy scoring in back-to-back league games and Elanga still struggling to find form, I think it will be Murphy who keeps his place on the right wing.

So, this would be four changes from the weekend, seeing Krafth, Botman, Bruno and Joelinton be replaced by Trippier, Schar, Miley and Ramsey.

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