The big news is that there is only change from the Newcastle side that walloped Brighton 4-1 and that’s Sean Longstaff starting in place of the injured Joe Willock, out for the season with a hamstring injury.
It’s great to see Sean back.
We need only draw against Leicester City tonight at St. James’ Park to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since Sir Bobby Robson was the manager back in 2003.
And we are sure the lads will want to win the game, the last home game of the season, and then have a real celebration after the game.
But a caution – we cannot allow second bottom Leicester to spoil the party tonight after such a great season.
And here is the Leicester side.
A massive 86% think we can win this game tonight.

Comments welcome.
478 comments so far
IrishRob
May 22, 2023 at 7:01 PM
Comment #1Strong team, Longstaff for Willock.
Ibizatoon
May 22, 2023 at 7:02 PM
Comment #2That’ll do nicely! Let’s do this! HWTL!
Adamn_92
May 22, 2023 at 7:02 PM
Comment #3Great line-up, delighted Longstaff can start in the game we secure Champions League, as he’s played a vital role in that! Happy to see Murphy back too, no doubt will come in at some point.
Strong lineup, let’s get the job done in party style!
HWTL!
IrishRob
May 22, 2023 at 7:02 PM
Comment #4Ed trying to beat me at my own game with the speed of that team post. Impressive Dr H.
sparky55
May 22, 2023 at 7:03 PM
Comment #5Nice!…Longstaff back in the game!
AncientC
May 22, 2023 at 7:03 PM
Comment #6Barnes and Maddison on the bench for Leicester.
DKillers
May 22, 2023 at 7:04 PM
Comment #7Looking good! Excellent starting team, with Gordon, Murphy, ASM on the bench.
This is going to be fun.
Not another deJong
May 22, 2023 at 7:04 PM
Comment #8BBC “”Both James Maddison AND Harvey Barnes are on the bench for Leicester, which is a massive surprise considering the position the Foxes are in.””
Novocastrian66
May 22, 2023 at 7:04 PM
Comment #9Injury fears allayed. We have a good first XI. All in to finish the job.
Barnes and Maddison on the bench for Leceister.
Ronway
May 22, 2023 at 7:05 PM
Comment #10A good line-up that will secure the Champion’s League points tonight!
HWTL
Pottsclock
May 22, 2023 at 7:05 PM
Comment #11Maddison and Barnes on the bench in a match that Leicester pretty much have to win. Weird
Flurzinho
May 22, 2023 at 7:06 PM
Comment #12Great to see Lobby back.
Strong starting 11 and bench.
HWTL.
Adamn_92
May 22, 2023 at 7:07 PM
Comment #13Think Leicester fear our midfield, so maybe Maddison and Barnes are out for more defensive and hard workers.
Very odd decision to leave them out though!
I’m going for a resounding 4-0 win for us 🙂
DKillers
May 22, 2023 at 7:08 PM
Comment #14Interesting lineup from Leicester. Not sure what to make of it.
sparky55
May 22, 2023 at 7:08 PM
Comment #15Methinks without Maddison and Barnes we’ll go nap.
They are obviously going to sit deep and try to get us on the break with the over the top ball which has caught us out like against Liverpool and Villa. Therefore maddison and Barnes not required because they are playmakers.
But because they are so bad defensively we will get 5
IMO
investinyouthtoon
May 22, 2023 at 7:09 PM
Comment #16Thrilled Sean starts tonight. Come through it unscathed and being integral in our hopeful win tonight.
Let’s get it done tonight any win would be super. Even a point would do for me. The place should be rocking.
HWTL
The Taco Taker
May 22, 2023 at 7:09 PM
Comment #17I chose to await the line-up before my prediction tonight.
3-1 – Wilson, Miggy and one goal from the bench (not sure who)
Bills Son Is Back
May 22, 2023 at 7:09 PM
Comment #18Maddison and Barnes out smacks of Smith thinking they are off in the summer and won’t give a 100% against a possible new club.
Pat Mania
May 22, 2023 at 7:09 PM
Comment #19Big Sean you beauty
Regan
May 22, 2023 at 7:09 PM
Comment #207..0..
https://youtu.be/SIKUZjc4gVo
Have it..
Not another deJong
May 22, 2023 at 7:10 PM
Comment #21Are they (Foxes) going to play a 343?
Bills Son Is Back
May 22, 2023 at 7:10 PM
Comment #22I’ve got a fiver on 5-0 and 5-1 at 28/1 with a 33% boost on 5-1.
sparky55
May 22, 2023 at 7:11 PM
Comment #23They will try to crowd us out in midfield.
Novocastrian66
May 22, 2023 at 7:11 PM
Comment #24It looks like Leicester are going to be outnumbered in centre mid. Bizarre.
The Taco Taker
May 22, 2023 at 7:12 PM
Comment #25And the Maddison rumours mill goes into overdrive!! I still think him not starting is totally irrelevant to if we sign him or not.
carltoon
May 22, 2023 at 7:12 PM
Comment #26From somewhere in Italy, and I’ve got wi-fi yeah.
Donuknow if I can find a site to watch it on. So it’ll be the blog and twitter.
Oh, and thank you Ed for keeping the blog going.
Pat Mania
May 22, 2023 at 7:12 PM
Comment #27Crowd nothing out. Our lads will tear them to shreds ion there.
AnyToon in Indiana
May 22, 2023 at 7:12 PM
Comment #28If Longy is fit and ready….nicely done Eddie 🙂
Fenham to Chalfont
May 22, 2023 at 7:13 PM
Comment #29Why the hell would Leicester bench their 2 best players. It all doesn’t make any sense, the 2 players I thought that could bother us even slightly were those 2. Hmm.
Absolutely buzzing to have wor Longy back in the team, he deserves to be in the starting 11 that secures CL football next season. This game can’t come quick enough. I eventually didn’t get a ticket but so what I’ll watch it with me Ma me Ma 😆
Novocastrian66
May 22, 2023 at 7:14 PM
Comment #30Oh, sorry. They do have 3 in centre mid.
carltoon
May 22, 2023 at 7:14 PM
Comment #31Still nervous I don’t know why, you can’t just forget 14years of heartbreak.
HWTL
DKillers
May 22, 2023 at 7:15 PM
Comment #32Bills Son, I was kinda thinking the same. There were rumors just this weekend about us wanting both Maddison and Barnes.
carltoon
May 22, 2023 at 7:16 PM
Comment #33Why leave your two best player’s out of such an important game for them??
magicmac54
May 22, 2023 at 7:16 PM
Comment #34Absolutely buzzing to see the return of the hod carrier Sean Longstaff, we are a lot better with that lads undoubted ability in the engine room HWTL.
Uncertain Toon
May 22, 2023 at 7:16 PM
Comment #35Taco,
The Vinicius will be allowed to leave I reckon with what’s gone on over there.
Like you say however, probably outside where we want to spend mate.
DrGloom
May 22, 2023 at 7:18 PM
Comment #36Seems like Leicester are going to pack the defence and hope to use vardy for a breakaway goal … can only see a win for us
Essex Geordie Bill
May 22, 2023 at 7:18 PM
Comment #3741 minutes to KO.
Uncertain Toon
May 22, 2023 at 7:18 PM
Comment #38Have we been sniffing round Barnes as well? Don’t want to be starting players who are waiting for the opposition to come rescue them 😆
carltoon
May 22, 2023 at 7:19 PM
Comment #39I wish I was sitting in my seat, you can see what a fantastic view I have.
Please win tonight. HWTL
Essex Geordie Bill
May 22, 2023 at 7:19 PM
Comment #40If we are cruising by the 2nd half then we might see Miley get some pitch time.