Predicted Newcastle team v Arsenal – One change | OneFootball

Looking at the Newcastle team v Arsenal.

Eddie Howe and his players hoping to continue the levels of their six excellent wins and performances against Leicester, Brentford, Ipswich, Aston Villa, Man U and Spurs.

Six victories and eighteen goals scored, just the two conceded.

A win tonight would see United taking a massive step towards a return to Wembley, with the second leg of the semi-final taking place four weeks on Wednesday (5 February).

What can we expect the Newcastle team v Arsenal to be?

As a starting point, this was the Newcastle team v Spurs:

Dubravka, Livramento, Botman, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton, Murphy, Isak, Gordon

Fabian Schar and Bruno are suspended for this one, so we know at least one change has to be made from Saturday.

Callum Wilson, Nick Pope, Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles won’t be in contention to start either, unless any real secret surprise(s).

On Monday morning, Eddie Howe appeared to indicate he expects Anthony Gordon to be fine despite the blow to the face and cut to his nose on Saturday.

Whilst the Head Coach said Sven Botman was understandably fatigued at the end of the Spurs match and thinks it was just cramp and not any injury issue when he came off late on. Howe saying he would be discussing with medical/fitness staff before making a decision on whether Botman can be considered for the starting eleven again tonight.

Anyway, my take on all of this, my best guesstimate of the Newcastle team v Arsenal:

Dubravka, Livramento, Botman, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Willock, Joelinton, Murphy, Isak, Gordon

The big question of course, who comes in for the suspended Bruno Guimaraes?

It looks a straight choice between Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff. I wouldn’t be surprised if either of the two is selected but my gut feeling is Willock.

Botman of course is an unknown. I think Eddie Howe will be keen to play him again but at the same time won’t take any chances at all, if the advice isn’t very positive from the medical/fitness staff. Lloyd Kelly would appear to be the automatic alternative.

There have been only three days between these matches against Spurs and Arsenal but I’d imagine Eddie Howe will be very keen to get what he considers his best available eleven to start the match. It is eight days until the Wolves home match in the Premier League, with no doubt some squad players to get their chance against League Two Bromley on Sunday. So able to rest sone first teamers then, after hopefully getting the job done tonight.

Tuesday 7 January – Arsenal v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports and ITV1 and ITVX

Sunday 12 January – Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)

Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Wednesday 5 February – Newcastle v Arsenal (8pm) Sky Sports