Newcastle (H) 8pm Monday 10th March (live on Sky)
After two wins in a row against very different opposition there’s a very strong argument to stick with the same starting line-up.
Howe plays 4-3-3 although he has occasionally gone three at the back, the last time being at home to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup when they has a 2-0 lead from the 1st leg but his squad options are limited
Gordon’s red card against Brighton in the Cup means he’ll miss the next three and while Howe has said they will appeal it seems unlikely to succeed.
Harvey Barnes is the only out-and-out winger available to play alongside Murphy and Isak although another option would be to play Isak on the left with Wilson up front. Isak missed the previous match against Liverpool with a groin strain and was subbed after 86 minutes against Brighton.
Miguel Almiron left for the MLS in January so summer signing Danish U21 William Osula is the only other forward but Joelinton has played in the front three a few times this season
In the midfield Bruno Guimares is the only player to have started every Premier League game this season while Sandro Tonali has started 13 of the last 15 EPL matches. Joelinton usually takes the third midfield slot while Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff and 18yo Lewis Miley are other options.
At the back Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles were injured when we visited St James Park and they’re injured again although Botman has resumed light training.
Dan Burn and Fabian Schar are the current centre back pairing with Emil Krafth the only option off the bench as Lloyd Kelly, signed on a free from Bournemouth in the summer, joined Juventus on loan after just 14 appearances for Newcastle
Lewis Hall had established himself as first choice left back but missed the Brighton game with an ankle and after scans has been sent to a specialist. Livramento and Trippier were the starting full backs against Brighton but both seemed to be struggling toward the end with Matt Targett (recovered from his extreme eczema) as the lone back up
Between the sticks Nick Pope is back after a month out with a knee with Martin Dubravka as second choice.
Howe doesn’t seem to have much regard for the current crop of Newcastle kids as when Wilson started against Liverpool the empty space on the bench was filled by another goalkeeper, John Ruddy. Greek no.1 Odysseas Vlachodimos can't even get on the bench
We've not done the double over them was 2018/19 when Rafa was in charge
Howe plays 4-3-3 although he has occasionally gone three at the back, the last time being at home to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup when they has a 2-0 lead from the 1st leg but his squad options are limited
Gordon’s red card against Brighton in the Cup means he’ll miss the next three and while Howe has said they will appeal it seems unlikely to succeed.
Harvey Barnes is the only out-and-out winger available to play alongside Murphy and Isak although another option would be to play Isak on the left with Wilson up front. Isak missed the previous match against Liverpool with a groin strain and was subbed after 86 minutes against Brighton.
Miguel Almiron left for the MLS in January so summer signing Danish U21 William Osula is the only other forward but Joelinton has played in the front three a few times this season
In the midfield Bruno Guimares is the only player to have started every Premier League game this season while Sandro Tonali has started 13 of the last 15 EPL matches. Joelinton usually takes the third midfield slot while Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff and 18yo Lewis Miley are other options.
At the back Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles were injured when we visited St James Park and they’re injured again although Botman has resumed light training.
Dan Burn and Fabian Schar are the current centre back pairing with Emil Krafth the only option off the bench as Lloyd Kelly, signed on a free from Bournemouth in the summer, joined Juventus on loan after just 14 appearances for Newcastle
Lewis Hall had established himself as first choice left back but missed the Brighton game with an ankle and after scans has been sent to a specialist. Livramento and Trippier were the starting full backs against Brighton but both seemed to be struggling toward the end with Matt Targett (recovered from his extreme eczema) as the lone back up
Between the sticks Nick Pope is back after a month out with a knee with Martin Dubravka as second choice.
Howe doesn’t seem to have much regard for the current crop of Newcastle kids as when Wilson started against Liverpool the empty space on the bench was filled by another goalkeeper, John Ruddy. Greek no.1 Odysseas Vlachodimos can't even get on the bench
We've not done the double over them was 2018/19 when Rafa was in charge
Comments
However just reas that a couple of Newcastle U21s, Cf Sean Neave (on the bench vs Birmingham) and RB Leo Shahar, trained with the first team before the Brighton match
Another U21, LW Trevan Sanusi (came on as a sub against Bromley) is injured
Lewis Hall'a ankle needs surgery which will keep him out for the rest of the season while reports that Trippier has a lower back problem and is 50/50 for Monday
From the forums most Geordies seem to be focused entirely on the cup final, almost as if there wasn't a match on Monday
' Howay, ganin heev I reet proper go an that there cuop ya bonnie lads. I'il be there in me best crocodile shoes'
They're currently 6th which qualifies for the Conference League but Bournemouth and Brighton are just 1 point behind, Fulham and Villa 2 points.
Qualifying for the Champions League 2023/24 resulted in a 22% revenue boost but they missed out on Europe this season and are facing another year of hefty financial losses
Botman needs knee surgery as reported yesterday so with just two CBs plus a RB who can play CB (Krafth) I doubt if he'll go with a back three as he did against Arsenal
Most likely the same back four as against Brighton - Trippier, Schar, Burns and Livramento with Targett and Krafth on the bench
Guimares is captain and hasn't missed a Premier League match so 99.9% guaranteed to start. Pick any two from Tonali, Joelinton, Willock, Longstaff or Miley
If he doesn't start Isak then most likely a front three of Murphy, Wilson and Barnes with Isak and Osula on the bench. Joelinton or Willock other options on the left instead of Barnes
https://www.whufc.com/news/team-news-paqueta-and-coufal-nearing-return
Loss………
Impressively Joelinton has managed to collect those four yellows in just seven games since he was suspended for yellow cards
He's not the most booked player in the Premier League, Sasa Lukic (Fulham) and Will Hughes (Palace) both have 10
Tommy Soucek is also on four yellows
https://www.premierleague.com/news/4110053
"Under The FA's rules, players who receive a total of 10 yellow cards in their side's first 32 Premier League matches receive a two-match suspension.
Will Hughes and Sasa Lukic have become the first players to reach 10 bookings this season."
We've only played 27 matches so if Soucek picks up another two yellows in the next five games he'll be suspended for two games.
Joelinton is on 9 yellow cards, one more in the next five he gets a two match ban
Soucek is on 8, Burn is on 7
Flynn Downes is also on 9 so he's not changed...
COYI ⚒⚒⚒