The day has finally arrived when Newcastle will play their first game of the 2023-2024 Premier League season, after finishing in 4th place last season and reaching the League Cup Final, and qualifying for the Champions League.
And it comes as Harry Kane signed for Bayern Munich early this morning so Spurs will definitely miss his goals this season.
So in a rather selfish way – that could help Newcastle in the league this season – but that should be completely dependent on how we play and our head coach Eddie Howe knows that.
Preseason has gone well and we won four and drew three of our 7 preseason games against good opposition.
Several of our younger players like Elliott Anderson, Lewis Miley, and Anthony Gordon shone, so it’s a good question whether either will start today.
Howe has built up good competition for places across the pitch although he does want one or two more players brought in on loan before the end of August.
It’s really difficult to know exactly what team Howe will start today, especially when he said yesterday that center-back Fabian Schar had trained this week and would be in the squad.
Here’s what I think will be the starting lineup for today:
I don’t think Howe will start Schar because of a lack of match fitness, but he could – after all he has great confidence in the Swiss defender.
So in comes right-footed Jamaal Lascelles to partner Sven Botman.
Left-back is also up for grabs but think that the head coach will start off the season with Burn still at left-back, but Matt Targett has been impressive in preseason training.
And in midfield, I think Elliott Anderson will get the start and Howe will manage Sandro Tonali slowly into starting in the Premier League, much like he did with Bruno, and that worked out well.
As far as the left wing position, Harvey Barnes will just get the nod over Anthony Gordon because he is – at the moment – a more reliable goalscorer.
But we do expect Gordon to have a great (goalscoring?) season.
So there you have it – that’s my choice.
Let me know what your choice is for today’s game.
It’s certainly a tough start against a quickly improving Aston Villa side under head coach Unai Emery.
Enery took over a struggling Villa side late last October from Steven Gerrard and finished the season in 7th place in the league – and only three places and 10 points behind Newcastle.
It would surely be an excellent result if we can win this game today.
Loading ...Howay The Lads!!
Comments are always welcome.
677 comments so far
t00narmy88
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:45 PM
Comment #161Cant stand villa, that mcginns face irritates me and diaby is going to geet wiped out off dan burn
cleveleysbob
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:47 PM
Comment #162Vask, got 9. I had Lascelles and Targett starting. 🙁
Vask
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:48 PM
Comment #163Tfb
We look like we have enough talent in the middle to control that midfield.
Miggy first goal.
Vask
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:49 PM
Comment #164Bob
I didn’t enter but the lineup I posted earlier had Anderson Target and Lobby starting.
Toon Irish
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:50 PM
Comment #165Dan burn starting again dear god were in bad need of a lb thought target done enough in pre season to justify a start others than that I’m happy with the team can’t wait for kick off but yet again Dan burn dear god man can’t even dribble a ball r pass forward.shame young miles didn’t make the bench but wow what a bench how long has it been since we’ve had a bench like that lol
valle
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:50 PM
Comment #166Im a bit nervous about Tonali starting, i wouldnt think that he was ready for the EPL already. If it works, he will be important for us in the two next games though, where we could use his tactical nouse.
A Geordie Mongrel
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:51 PM
Comment #167Howay Fulham, close this out! 0-1 up at Everton.
cleveleysbob
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:51 PM
Comment #168Decent shout though they’re all on the bench.
The Taco Taker
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:51 PM
Comment #169Today is Botmans day!! – From a Tonali set piece.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:51 PM
Comment #1709/11 toonali and AG did for me
dazzler
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:51 PM
Comment #171I think I’ve got 7 on the bingo. I think I had Lascelles, Anderson, Barnes and Wilson starting.
Mickey G
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:52 PM
Comment #172Got 10 . Had Barnes instead of Gordon
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:53 PM
Comment #173Convinced Toonali would be gradually introduced and 50/50 HB or AG
dazzler
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:53 PM
Comment #174I’ve had the Brighton game on. Two very dodgy pens, Brighton playing like Brighton but feel a bit sorry for Luton, they’ve battled their balls off here.
Harley
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:53 PM
Comment #175I swear I guessed that team I’m my WhatsApp group with my mates.
Looks good on paper. Last years best defence, a revitalised Gordon, our big money midfield enforcer and a great bench.
The concerns for me are Diaby up against Burn. Diaby is one of the fastest players over seen, also is Tonali up to premier league speed yet?
dazzler
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:54 PM
Comment #176Ferguson and enciso are friggin special players though. Definitely £200m of future income for Brighton 😀
A Geordie Mongrel
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:55 PM
Comment #1779/11 for me, Isak and Tonali. I think Mickey G is in the lead.
AnyToon in Indiana
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:55 PM
Comment #178I think Eddie won the bingo game 😉
Adamn_92
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:57 PM
Comment #179Wasn’t expecting Tonali to start right away, but definitely feel like he’ll have a good game and feed off the crowd.
Going for 3-1
Gordon, Miggy and Isak all to grab a goal.
cleveleysbob
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:57 PM
Comment #1803-0 will see us joint top! 😀
dazzler
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:58 PM
Comment #181Bob,
It’s 4-1 now, Brighton are top on goals scored.
ilovetoon8788
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:59 PM
Comment #182excited for the new season but tonali i maintain will be a flop in the premier league. interesting to see how gordon & barnes mature in their game.
but villa with emery are tactically superior. dont fancy seeing diaby against dan burn. watkins is also turning out to be a clinical striker.
prediction newcastle 1 villa 1. a drab draw.
Uncertain Toon
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:59 PM
Comment #183Thought Barnes might have got the nod, but can’t argue with AG being in. I see him and Isak swapping around up there causing major problems for the Villa backline.
I’m going for AG 1st goal assisted by Isak.
dazzler
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:59 PM
Comment #184Ashby with another hour under his belt for Swansea.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 12, 2023 at 4:59 PM
Comment #185Oh no, Everton lost at home!
dazzler
Aug 12, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Comment #186Ilovetoon,
Eat a white dog shite you useless, mackem hack.
Uncertain Toon
Aug 12, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Comment #187Prediction.
ilovetoon8788 will be eating them words for his tea. AGAIN 😆
magicmac54
Aug 12, 2023 at 5:01 PM
Comment #1889/11 for me, i had Longstaff and Barnes starting instead of Tonali and Gordon.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 12, 2023 at 5:01 PM
Comment #189I am consolable
The Taco Taker
Aug 12, 2023 at 5:02 PM
Comment #190Yeah I am surprised Tonali started but that is one hell of a midfield, a ton of pace up front, a settled, proven defence that works well together and great options on the bench. Good times.
A Geordie Mongrel
Aug 12, 2023 at 5:02 PM
Comment #191Hehe, both Mackem teams are 4th bottom on goal difference. 😀
dazzler
Aug 12, 2023 at 5:03 PM
Comment #192Hope we get to see Livramento and Barnes at some point today, but trust the lads starting to have already done the business by the time that happens.
Mister Tuff
Aug 12, 2023 at 5:03 PM
Comment #193Very strong team and ultra strong subs.
We need to teach these Villa lot a good lesson by giving them a walloping – need to neutralise McGinn and clatter Watkins/do not let him get a run at you.
If we put their coals in -it will disrupt their confidence – for their following games.
Playmaker
Aug 12, 2023 at 5:04 PM
Comment #19410/11, had Anderson to start. Will be exciting to Watch that midfield today, 2-0 HWTL
Throckley Gadjee
Aug 12, 2023 at 5:05 PM
Comment #195four nil and top of the league will do 😉
Mister Tuff
Aug 12, 2023 at 5:05 PM
Comment #196Bruno will be inviting challenges – hopefully he does not get mobbed by 2-3 Villa players.
Do not give him the ball if he is just about to be mobbed.
dazzler
Aug 12, 2023 at 5:07 PM
Comment #197Tuff,
I don’t think Villa can afford to move him given we have two other excellent ball carriers either side of him. All they’ll be doing is gifting space to Tonali and Joelinton.
coming home
Aug 12, 2023 at 5:07 PM
Comment #1983-0 win come on the tooooooon
dazzler
Aug 12, 2023 at 5:07 PM
Comment #199Mob not move FFS
investinyouthtoon
Aug 12, 2023 at 5:08 PM
Comment #200Super excited to see Tonali start. A midfield trio of Tonali Bruno and Joelinton, hopefully a dominant performance and a home win.
The home crowd have to be up for it, and roar the team on.
HWTL