Here again, is the team I am predicting Eddie Howe will name for this afternoon’s match against Manchester City. It has four changes from the 3-1 defeat at Liverpool a few days ago.
Howe is likely to continue with the rotation of his squad. We should see a few players back in the team after being rested at Anfield. The most notable one being Callum Wilson, who came on in the second half last week for Allan Saint-Maximin.
The Frenchman was forced off with a knock but it doesn’t appear to be a serious situation. However, Allan has started every match this season and could be rested with the quick turnaround for this one.
Howe’s injury list has tripled this week with the recent injuries to Federico Fernandez and Jamal Lewis, who injured his hamstring on Thursday. That means Matt Ritchie will likely be back in at left-back today.
Newcastle’s situation is still better than our opponents, who will be without some key regulars. Ferran Torres, who terrorized us with a hat-trick in this fixture last season, remains sidelined with a broken foot.
Newcastle Injuries
Paul Dummett (calf), Fede Fernandez (thigh), Jamal Lewis (hamstring), Allan Saint-Maximin (knock – late fitness test)
Manchester City Injuries
Ferran Torres (foot), Joao Cancelo (suspended – five yellow cards), Bernardo Silva (knock), Kyle Walker (illness), Liam Delap (ankle)
Our poll for this one is not surprising as over 70% of voters expect a third straight defeat. Newcastle haven’t fared too well in our difficult stretch to close the year. That is likely to continue this afternoon against the league leaders.
Loading ...However, nothing is a given and Newcastle did well at Anfield. If we can keep the score close once again, maybe the lads can produce some magic and pick up an unexpected result.
41 comments so far
simon376
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:05 PM
Comment #1Only thing I would do with that team is swap Willock and Joelinton’s postions
cyprus
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:09 PM
Comment #2Ozzy
the word “Aubameyang” can’t be used with “poor”, it’s a syntax or grammar thing, not sure
🙂
Regan
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:11 PM
Comment #3Cyprus..
If we win the beers are on me mate..
😀
The Dutch Bulldog
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:13 PM
Comment #4Regan, If we win I will you both beers
ToonDarnSarf
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:14 PM
Comment #5Smith did alright for us in the Championship I think but he was crocked from injuries suffered while at Man U. Butt was over the hill by the time he reached us too.
Man Utd have been amongst the top few clubs in the world until fairly recently so not many players left while still near the top of their game. But a few I can think of would be Stam, Beckham, Pogba, and Pique.
Regan
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:16 PM
Comment #6Our luck gotta change sometime. .why not today..
If palace can beat them..I reckon we can..
#BELIEVE
ToonDarnSarf
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:16 PM
Comment #7My prediction was 1 point from these 5 December fixtures. Anything better than that would be a good result I think.
Regan
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:18 PM
Comment #8It all hangs on what sparky55 had for breakfast..
😳
ToonDarnSarf
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:18 PM
Comment #9Regan – we certainly “can”, just need some luck with our key players having blinders, theirs having an off day, and maybe a marginal referee decision or two goes in our favour…
Like you say, we’re overdue a bit of luck this season!
Toon Tang
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:20 PM
Comment #10Regan, that’s some pretty potent crack you’re smoking, can I have your dealers number please Marra ahaa
The Dutch Bulldog
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:23 PM
Comment #11TDS
#
Stam, Beckham, Pogba, and Pique.
I think you will find he is called Pugba
Regan
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:23 PM
Comment #1252,000 fans lifting the the roof off..
Think we’ve got as good a chance as anyone..
HWTL
ToonDarnSarf
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:24 PM
Comment #13Sorry Pug… 😉
Fenham to Chalfont
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:24 PM
Comment #14I’m hoping for a good performance today. We were actually ok against Liverpool and could have pretty easily come away with something if it were not for the pathetic ref…
Please let’s see us get right into Man C and with the crowd we may sneak something. You never know?
I’d go with Neils team above also I think it’s bang on. Hopefully Ritchie holds up today? HWTL!
The Dutch Bulldog
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:28 PM
Comment #15Fenham. Have you seen the ref we have today?
Guaranteed penalty. Not for us.
The Dutch Bulldog
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:29 PM
Comment #16EPL want us down and are doing everything they can to achieve it.
TOM
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:30 PM
Comment #17regan …
had a full english for me breakfast hope it works and brings us some good luck …
Regan
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:32 PM
Comment #18Good lad Tom..
Full mashings i hope..
😀
The Dutch Bulldog
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:40 PM
Comment #19Regan officially broke the blog
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:42 PM
Comment #20Haven’t even tried to catch up been so busy.
However there is:-
1 hour 16 Minutes to KO.
magicmac54
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:42 PM
Comment #21I think we have a great chance of beating Man Utd at home, they have some great individual players but they dont play as a team, they were dam lucky beating Norwich and only for their keeper De Gea Norwich would have won the match comfortably, so in the unlikely scenario we got a point today against City it would really set us up in having a reasonable chance of taking 4 points against the two Manchester clubs HWTL
TOM
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:44 PM
Comment #22regan …
yep double everything , extra black pudding as well …
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:52 PM
Comment #23Can’t see him dropping Shelvey so don’t see why you have left him out Neil!
He is the only decent passer of the ball in the team despite any faults people think he has.
One big difference between us and Lpool I noticed was that virtually every one of their lads could pass a long ball whereas we only had Jonjo, dunno if their players just know how to get into good positions to receive the ball, that does help a tad!
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:55 PM
Comment #24Peter I have absolutely no confidence in any ref officiating in any of our games, they never give us anything.
They might as well just stick another player on the pitch wearing an opposition shirt and be done with it!
Mund
Dec 19, 2021 at 1:02 PM
Comment #25https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FG-MA8tWUAcbel7?format=jpg&name=large
Mund
Dec 19, 2021 at 1:02 PM
Comment #26Lineup
Mund
Dec 19, 2021 at 1:03 PM
Comment #27Clark back in 🙁
Vask
Dec 19, 2021 at 1:05 PM
Comment #28No manquillo in the squad. Those full backs don’t fill me with confidence. Unless Haydon is playing defense. Couple of youngsters on the bench. Let’s see how it plays out anyway.
Howay the lads!x
Mund
Dec 19, 2021 at 1:06 PM
Comment #29Looks like Neil was right about Shelvey
Mund
Dec 19, 2021 at 1:07 PM
Comment #30Good to see he has dropped Maxi as well
Vask
Dec 19, 2021 at 1:07 PM
Comment #31Is it rotation or are we picking up more injuries?
JohnJ
Dec 19, 2021 at 1:07 PM
Comment #32Team for today
Dubravka, Murphy, Lascelles, Clark, Ritchie, Hayden, Willock, Fraser, Almiron, Joelinton, Wilson
MAUTITOON
Dec 19, 2021 at 1:07 PM
Comment #33Anyone else finds it annoying that Dubravka constantly keeps on kicking the ball high up the pitch directly to the opposition which instantly put us under instant pressure?
Vask
Dec 19, 2021 at 1:08 PM
Comment #34Is white a striker?
DrGloom
Dec 19, 2021 at 1:08 PM
Comment #35Fair play, schar is not needed against City and although Clarke is poor we have nobody else.
ASM sub around 60 minutes if still in game (unlikely), if not – give Anderson and White a run out for last 10 minutes
JohnJ
Dec 19, 2021 at 1:09 PM
Comment #36Substitutes:
Darlow, Schar, Hendrick, Krafth, Andersen, Saint-Maximin, Gayle, Longstaff, White
DrGloom
Dec 19, 2021 at 1:11 PM
Comment #37Vask – white is attacking mid
TOM
Dec 19, 2021 at 1:12 PM
Comment #38MUND …
wheres SHELVEY ???
Vask
Dec 19, 2021 at 1:14 PM
Comment #39Cheers gloom.
Mund
Dec 19, 2021 at 1:16 PM
Comment #40Tom
Getting his hair cut mate 😉