Predicted Newcastle team v Barcelona with these three changes | OneFootball

Looking at this Newcastle team v Barcelona.

Only hours to go now before Champions League football kicks off once more at St James’ Park.

Newcastle United looking to make it consecutive wins.

A clean sheet and Nick Woltemade scoring on his debut, enough to beat Wolves.

Nobody will be complaining if we see a repeat of that tonight.

As a reminder, this was the Newcastle team v Wolves:

Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton, Barnes, Woltemade, Murphy

On Wednesday at his pre-match press conference, Eddie Howe indicated that the only two Newcastle players who are set to be missing due to injury tonight, are Yoane Wissa and Jacob Ramsey.

Eddie Howe once again having the same players who were available on Saturday, plus Anthony Gordon, his three game suspension not applicable in the Champions League.

Many people often say about not changing a winning team.

Indeed, Eddie Howe could possibly go with that reasoning tonight. However, I don’t think so.

The NUFC Head Coach has shown in the past that he will do what he thinks is for the best, including making changes to a winning team. Not a case of just for the sake of it, more a case of Eddie Howe prepared to be ruthless, if certain players become available and/or he believes that a different team selection (and formation…?) is better suited to the next opponent.

No doubt plenty of you will disagree but I believe the odds favour Eddie Howe making a few surprise changes, both formation and personnel.

My predicted Newcastle team v Barcelona:

Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Livramento, Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton, Gordon, Elanga

If I am proved right, this would be three changes from Saturday. With Botman, Gordon and Elanga coming in, which means Barnes, Woltemade and Murphy would drop to the bench.

My reasoning?

I think rather than playing a third central defender meaning a more defensive outlook from Eddie Howe, quite the opposite.

I think Eddie Howe will want to get at Barcelona and have a high press from the first whistle, a bit like happened against PSG (albeit when not playing three/five at the back).

Having Gordon and Elanga playing as two forwards gives them freedom of movement and a chance to use their pace as much as possible. Both in terms of closing down and when United are in possession. Elanga has played this role in the past and indeed did so with Sweden in this month’s internationals. Whilst Gordon has played through the middle for NUFC and for the England Under 21s when they won their Euros.

You then have the usual midfield trio backing them up, plus wing-backs pushing on. Tino Livarmento definitely plays, though I wasn’t sure whether in my predicted Newcastle team v Barcelona, whether that will be on the right or left, with Trippier or Hall also playing. If I am proved correct with the formation, then Eddie Howe could go with either. I have just gone on the side of Trippier staying in and Hall remaining out. I would be happy with either playing.

I think this potential/predicted Newcastle team would tick plenty of boxes, plus of course surprise Hansi Flick and Barcelona.

Personally, I think we will probably get more out of Nick Woltemade as an impact sub tonight. Plus, the fact is that we will need Nick Woltemade starting on Sunday at Bournemouth, when Anthony Gordon will be missing. Would it be ideal to expect Woltemade to start three games in a week, especially after starting both games for Germany?

With Yoane Wissa out until at least after the October international break, Eddie Howe will be looking after Nick Woltemade.

Plus of course Anthony Elanga has had a bit of a rest, only coming on for the last ten minutes on Saturday.

As well as the fact Sven Botman is a class act if he plays.

Plus of course, using the squad is something we should expect to see this season on a regular basis.

If my Newcastle United guesswork is proved accurate, you then also have a refreshed Murphy and Barnes for Sunday at Bournemouth, as well as what they can give off the bench tonight.

Newcastle United fixtures confirmed dates and times (All of the Champions League matches also available to watch on TV in the UK):

Thursday 18th September: Newcastle United vs FC Barcelona (8pm)

Sunday 21 September – Bournemouth v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 24 September – Newcastle v Bradford (7.45pm) Sky Sports+

Sunday 28 September– Newcastle v Arsenal (4.30pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 1st October: Union SG vs Newcastle United (5:45pm)

Sunday 5 October– Newcastle v Forest (2pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 18 October – Brighton v Newcastle (3pm)