Newcastle will have a tough time resurrecting their flailing form when Premier League champions Manchester City visit St James’ Park on Saturday night.
The Magpies could find themselves as low as tenth by the end of the weekend as Chelsea have the opportunity to move above them, with their chances of making the top four getting more and more unlikely.
Naturally, the injuries manager Eddie Howe has had to deal with are a major factor in their poor form, as well as coping with the Champions League group stage before their exit from Europe. Some confidence can be taken from the FA Cup win over Sunderland last weekend, but this will be a much tougher test.
Here is the starting lineup Howe is likely to choose for Newcastle vs Man City in the Premier League.
GK: Martin Dubravka – Fans wondered if he would be dropped for Loris Karius against Sunderland but he wasn’t, so his rhythm has not been disrupted. Dubravka will have a lot more to do in this game.
RB: Kieran Trippier – Made his return from injury against Sunderland and had a good game, which will help rebuild his confidence after a tough end to 2023. This match might not help as much.
CB: Fabian Schar – It was a surprise Howe used Schar and Botman for almost the entire game against Sunderland, but he will surely do the same again here.
CB: Sven Botman – The Dutchman’s return was welcomed by fans but results have not picked up, though that is largely down to the amount of injuries elsewhere rather than his individual performances.
LB: Tino Livramento – Dan Burn was at left-back in the FA Cup but Newcastle look more balanced with Livramento in the team and he should start here.
CM: Sean Longstaff – There are suggestions that the English midfielder could leave the club in January, but Howe isn’t swimming in options so he’ll likely start against Man City. Perhaps this place could be taken by Jordan Henderson later in the month.
CM: Bruno Guimaraes – A constant starter for Newcastle, the Magpies will need a big game from Guimaraes on Saturday evening.
CM: Joelinton – His physicality will be needed against Man City, but Joelinton also needs to make sure he is aiding the attackers if Newcastle are to get anything from this game.
RW: Miguel Almiron – Fans have been unhappy with his recent performances but Harvey Barnes is not likely to recover in time to play here and a start for Matt Ritchie seems unlikely.
ST: Alexander Isak – Callum Wilson might return but it is more likely that Isak starts against Man City. He will have a tough night up against Ruben Dias.
LW: Anthony Gordon – One of Newcastle’s best players this season, Gordon seems able to get himself up for these matches under the lights.
