Newcastle (A) 8pm Monday 25th November (live on Sky)
We'll have Alvarez back but if he starts let's hope its not as part of a back three like he did against Forest.
Last time we visited St James' we went 3-1 up and still managed to lose 4-3.. Newcastle had to make four substitutions due to injury, Areola was subbed at half time with a groin, Anthony Gordon got a second yellow in injury time while Moyes and Howe also got booked.
A little less drama might be welcome!
Starting XI against us in March
Dubravka
Livramento Schar Lascelles Burn
Longstaff Guimares Willock
Murphy Isak Gordon
Since then not much has changed with no major departures over the summer and only a few arrivals.
So much for the Saudis splashing the cash!
Newcastle had a long injury list back in March and there are a lot of player unavailable this time. Callum Wilson, Sven Botman and Kieran Trippier are all injured again
Nick Pope, Joelinton and Matt Targett were injured back in March but are fit while Jacob Murphy was fit but is now injured.
Dan Burn is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow against Forest.
Jamaal Lascelles started last time but only lasted 15 minutes before he suffered an ACL and is still recovering. He was replaced by Emil Krafth who was replaced in the second half by 20yo LB Lewis Halls, on loan from Chelsea at the time but signed permanently in the summer
Alexander Isak scored two penalties last time, he has scored in all three games against us and has scored for five games in a row; four for Newcastle and one for Sweden). Sweden play Azerbaijan tomorrow so there's a very good chance he'll have scored in six consecutive games by the time we play
Harvey Barnes scored the other two in March after coming on in the second half to replace the injured Miguel Almiron 10 minutes after he'd replaced Livremento. Livramento has started the last four league games, Barnes has been on the bench for the last two games but scored against Forest after replacing Antony Gordon while Almiron was also on the bench
Sandro Tonali has returned from his betting ban and has been on the bench in recent matches but after an excellent performance in the second half against Forest he could be in contention for a start
Lloyd Kelly, signed on a free from Bournemouth, hasn't started in the league since 21 September but with Lascelles, Botman and Burns all unavailable he could be in the starting XI.
The only other summer signings of note are Danish U21 CF William Osula, £10m from Sheffield Utd and Greece's No1 Odysseas Vlachodimos signed from Forest for £20m but 3rd choice behind Pope and Dubravka
Starting XI vs Arsenal and Forest
Pope
Livramento Schar Burn Halls
Longstaff Guimares Willock
Gordon Isak Joelinton
Last time we visited St James' we went 3-1 up and still managed to lose 4-3.. Newcastle had to make four substitutions due to injury, Areola was subbed at half time with a groin, Anthony Gordon got a second yellow in injury time while Moyes and Howe also got booked.
A little less drama might be welcome!
Starting XI against us in March
Dubravka
Livramento Schar Lascelles Burn
Longstaff Guimares Willock
Murphy Isak Gordon
Since then not much has changed with no major departures over the summer and only a few arrivals.
So much for the Saudis splashing the cash!
Newcastle had a long injury list back in March and there are a lot of player unavailable this time. Callum Wilson, Sven Botman and Kieran Trippier are all injured again
Nick Pope, Joelinton and Matt Targett were injured back in March but are fit while Jacob Murphy was fit but is now injured.
Dan Burn is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow against Forest.
Jamaal Lascelles started last time but only lasted 15 minutes before he suffered an ACL and is still recovering. He was replaced by Emil Krafth who was replaced in the second half by 20yo LB Lewis Halls, on loan from Chelsea at the time but signed permanently in the summer
Alexander Isak scored two penalties last time, he has scored in all three games against us and has scored for five games in a row; four for Newcastle and one for Sweden). Sweden play Azerbaijan tomorrow so there's a very good chance he'll have scored in six consecutive games by the time we play
Harvey Barnes scored the other two in March after coming on in the second half to replace the injured Miguel Almiron 10 minutes after he'd replaced Livremento. Livramento has started the last four league games, Barnes has been on the bench for the last two games but scored against Forest after replacing Antony Gordon while Almiron was also on the bench
Sandro Tonali has returned from his betting ban and has been on the bench in recent matches but after an excellent performance in the second half against Forest he could be in contention for a start
Lloyd Kelly, signed on a free from Bournemouth, hasn't started in the league since 21 September but with Lascelles, Botman and Burns all unavailable he could be in the starting XI.
The only other summer signings of note are Danish U21 CF William Osula, £10m from Sheffield Utd and Greece's No1 Odysseas Vlachodimos signed from Forest for £20m but 3rd choice behind Pope and Dubravka
Starting XI vs Arsenal and Forest
Pope
Livramento Schar Burn Halls
Longstaff Guimares Willock
Gordon Isak Joelinton
Comments
"They are little things (the injuries) so I hope we are going to be able to work on these problems."
“Alphonse Areola is working hard and is ready.“
Trippier trained with the first team on Thursday for the first time since October, Wilson was due to train with the first team for the first time this season
Swedish CB Emil Krafth broke his collarbone in the warm up against Forest
That means Lloyd Kelly is pretty much guaranteed a start, the only question is whether Tonali starts instead of either Willock or Longstaff but general consensus around the forums and pundits is that he'll be on the bench
Most likely XI
Pope
Livramento Schar Kelly Halls
Longstaff Guimares Willock
Gordon Isak Joelinton
Wan-Bissaka - Todibo - Kilman - Emerson
Souček - Álvarez - Paquetá
Bowen - Ings - Summerville
Areola, Mavropanos, Coufal, Cresswell, Irving, Rodríguez, Soler, Guilherme, Antonio
Looking at our midfield, which is probably our weak link at the moment, is there not an opportunity to call up somebody from the academy? What about Orford?
Álvarez has been a liability & slow this season, Paquetá not in any sort of form, Rodríguez & Soler haven’t impressed. Souček has been the best of them. No doubt our midfield is the weak link & a key part of our poor results & performances. We have solid goalkeepers & a decent defence (on paper). Bowen & Kudus (when back) we know have quality. Our midfield seems very average to me.
Unfortunately, because of the mounting pressure on the club, we almost need a win from a game we can probably expect to lose (& should lose). Lopetegui seems to be a dead man walking (not saying that’s my view) & he has to see something click & fast.
https://www.premierleague.com/news/4110053
Edson Alvarez sat out the encounter with Everton after being sent off for picking up two cautions in West Ham's defeat at Nottingham Forest in Matchweek 10. He is available for the Matchweek 12 fixture at Newcastle.
But The beeb and various news outlets providing team news all say he is available
And 2 bookings equaling a red, means a 1 game ban
3-0 Newcastle
Really important game for us.