This is the team we predicted Steve Bruce would name for Saturday’s match against Chelsea. It has four changes from the loss to Southampton.
This team is predicated on the assumption that Steve Bruce will not risk any players still recovering from injury. That leaves him short upfront with Callum Wilson hopefully being saved for next week.
Both Ciaran Clark and Matty Longstaff need an opportunity after barely featuring this year due to injury. They are both fit now and should be pushing for their chance.
Bruce revealed that a handful of Magpies are getting close to a return. However, we expect him to be without seven tomorrow, at least for the starting eleven. Wilson could get a spot on the substitutes bench.
Newcastle Injuries
Dwight Gayle (knee), Martin Dubravka (heel), Paul Dummett (hamstring), Ryan Fraser (hamstring), Jonjo Shelvey (groin – late fitness test), Callum Wilson (hamstring – late fitness test), Matt Ritchie (shoulder – late fitness test)
Chelsea Injuries
Christian Pulisic (hamstring), Thiago Silva (late return from international duty), Kai Havertz (Covid-19 – late fitness test), Ben Chilwell (back – late fitness test)
Our readers are obviously not optimistic about this one with 75% expecting a loss. That’s the likely result but you never know as last season Isaac Hayden pulled a rabbit out of a hat in the final minutes to get a shock win.

The most important thing is to see an improvement from our last match. We seem to say that far too often. But the run of fixtures following this one are crucial and putting in a competent performance tomorrow could be key to sparking a decent run over the next month.
303 comments so far
Optimistic prime
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:06 PM
Comment #1Merry Christmas tree formation
lochinvar
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:07 PM
Comment #2Wor barlie
No
But thanks for asking
lochinvar
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:12 PM
Comment #3Christmas tree formation by Bruce the Spruce
No reason why we can’t win this.
Home advantage after all.
Callum Wilson playing and poaching goals in the box would be good as Chelsea can unravel at the back when pressed – if we know how to do that
3-1 toon
lochinvar
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:13 PM
Comment #4As in 3 toon – 1 Chelski
GhostToon
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:22 PM
Comment #5Great team selection.
I would just swap Joelinton for Gillepsie upfront lol.
Nah seriously Brucie should try 3142 with 3 cb 1 cdm and 6 attackers upfront what could go wrong?
Jail for Ashley
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:27 PM
Comment #6UT/W,
Yes, I’ve listed your team and my advice after the prefix:
Your team won’t show until around 12:15 tomorrow.
Romford mag
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:27 PM
Comment #7https://youtu.be/-eHJ12Vhpyc
Wor Bairle
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:31 PM
Comment #8Ah, that was FF, thought we’d created our own magical transfer window!
lochinvar
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:31 PM
Comment #9A little bit of nostalgia then a few Tiger beers and curry
Match next day
SJP full of friendly smiling faces
Need these vaccinations sooner rather than later now
https://youtu.be/Y2NySUcbv3w
Wor Bairle
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:33 PM
Comment #10Loch
Can we swap seats?
WLtoon
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:34 PM
Comment #11Wealdtsone Raider at his best,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2ARD4WcoeQ
Uncertain Toon/World
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:36 PM
Comment #12Jail,
Martinez, McCarthy
Holding, James, Lamptey, White, Phillips
Fernandez, Rodriguez, Grealish, Zaha, Rice
Werner, Kane, Vardy
That’s Project Wildcard pal – BOOM!
GhostToon
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:37 PM
Comment #13https://youtu.be/jWkMhCLkVOg
Wor Bairle
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:39 PM
Comment #14https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTmatjyd4KM
Romford mag
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:39 PM
Comment #15Loch
They got some moves going on there π
Romford mag
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:41 PM
Comment #16WL
That bloke cracks me up π
GhostToon
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:42 PM
Comment #17https://youtu.be/myivPGrX610
Romford mag
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:43 PM
Comment #18Wor
In sheep’s clothing π
GhostToon
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:44 PM
Comment #19https://youtu.be/SzBJQnD7TRM
GhostToon
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:46 PM
Comment #20https://youtu.be/PR8iFJefDYE
Romford mag
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:46 PM
Comment #21https://youtu.be/XK86vm0yMpE
GhostToon
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:47 PM
Comment #22Wheres Regan tonight?
Jail for Ashley
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:47 PM
Comment #23UT/W,
You need to go with your gut. However, Brighton simply aren’t keeping clean sheets and neither are Leeds but for a 4.5M defender a Leeds option is so much better than Ben White who offers nothing, no bonus points, no attacking returns and not many CS. A Leeds defender will get you all three given their fixtures after GW 11.
Phillips is a risk if Fabinho is fit, he is definitely not nailed on.
Holding, Arsenal can’t keep a CS either and he’s not likely to score or assist.
Soueck at the same price as Rice is a no brainer, he’s got ridiculous good stats and has been so unlucky to only register his first return last week. You need to look at fixtures, form and stats before making big decisions.
GhostToon
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:48 PM
Comment #24https://youtu.be/3FkApmj8K1M
GhostToon
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:51 PM
Comment #25https://youtu.be/rblt2EtFfC4
Wor Bairle
Nov 20, 2020 at 10:56 PM
Comment #26Thanks Ghost, love the purple one!
π
Jail for Ashley
Nov 20, 2020 at 11:00 PM
Comment #27Wor Barlie,
Did you not have a go at the FPL this year?
GhostToon
Nov 20, 2020 at 11:01 PM
Comment #28Wor
Ditto mate. Proper Ledge!
Think we will all party like 1999 when as soon as the T/O goes through
π
GhostToon
Nov 20, 2020 at 11:03 PM
Comment #29*when as soon lol meant as soon
Wor Bairle
Nov 20, 2020 at 11:05 PM
Comment #30Jail
Was too late, I’ll join next year, it’ll make everyone one place better off!
Romford mag
Nov 20, 2020 at 11:06 PM
Comment #31Wor
Oh no you won’t π
GhostToon
Nov 20, 2020 at 11:07 PM
Comment #32https://youtu.be/o1tj2zJ2Wvg
Wor Bairle
Nov 20, 2020 at 11:09 PM
Comment #33Ghost
Stick with “when” mate, even jail and Tsunki are secretly getting excited!
GhostToon
Nov 20, 2020 at 11:09 PM
Comment #34I did Ed’s FF this year ….however I wish I did the h2h league or whatever its called.
GhostToon
Nov 20, 2020 at 11:11 PM
Comment #35Wor
I’m quitely confident π
Romford mag
Nov 20, 2020 at 11:11 PM
Comment #36https://youtu.be/rQqwG_rQx7A
Wor Bairle
Nov 20, 2020 at 11:11 PM
Comment #37Rom
Lol, behave yersel, I’ve been reading your informed footy knowledge this week!
Wor Bairle
Nov 20, 2020 at 11:14 PM
Comment #38Ooops, sorry Rom, that was for Kets.
Romford mag
Nov 20, 2020 at 11:15 PM
Comment #39Wor
Lol mate maybe you should be having a look at the blog league and the H2H league , then you would know , I ain’t lying π
Romford mag
Nov 20, 2020 at 11:15 PM
Comment #40Wor
Haha I was gonna say π