This is my starting eleven prediction for Saturday’s match against Southampton at St. James’ Park. As you can see, I expect there to be no real surprises with Eddie Howe’s team tomorrow.
Newcastle haven’t been very active in the market this summer despite bringing in four new first-team faces (Lloyd Kelly, John Ruddy, Odysseas Vlachodimos, William Osula). The only newcomer with a shout at a start would be Lloyd Kelly. Though I expect Big Dan Burn to get the nod and potentially the captain’s armband.
Other areas of potential contention are at right-back and left-wing. Tino Livramento has gotten the bulk of the minutes in preseason though Kieran Trippier arrived late after appearing in the Euros. I wouldn’t be gobsmacked if Howe went with Trippier for his experience though Tino may have done enough to get the start.
As with Trippier, Anthony Gordon arrived on Tyneside late after the European Championships. After a stellar 2023/24 campaign, the 23-year-old is one of the handful of superstars in the squad. If Howe feels his fitness levels are where they need to be, Gordon gets the nod over Harvey Barnes.
It’s very early with no marquee additions and a few Magpies still recovering from injury. The selection drama may be low key for now with hopes of some future headaches for Howe on the horizon.
165 comments so far
Mund
Aug 17, 2024 at 10:51 AM
Comment #81Lesh
So you are a creepy stalker then…?
If the cap fits and all that 😉
Davas
Aug 17, 2024 at 10:51 AM
Comment #82Nufc vs Southampton 3.00pm today
lesh
Aug 17, 2024 at 10:51 AM
Comment #83Mund
@78
‘,,,,, that the *’person’ *……’
Davas
Aug 17, 2024 at 10:52 AM
Comment #84We’re at home, 1st game of the season.
lesh
Aug 17, 2024 at 10:52 AM
Comment #85Mund
Certainly not stalking but reminding your hero not to take you for granted.
lesh
Aug 17, 2024 at 10:53 AM
Comment #86Davas
Well reminded
Mund
Aug 17, 2024 at 10:56 AM
Comment #87Lesh
Going at a poster with years of abuse is considered stalking.
Just for information.
A sweet auld man
Peckham Mag
Aug 17, 2024 at 10:59 AM
Comment #88Negotiating with Steve Parish!
https://x.com/_engee/status/1824477396210192492?s=46&t=VM-QzrJ0RyPRe1ytP6XpIg
Mund
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:01 AM
Comment #89Peckham
The last time I opened one off Engee (yesterday) it was one of those that suddenly changed to porno sounds and I had it pretty loud with be missus across from me 😳
So won’t be doing that again 😉
Mister Tuff
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:06 AM
Comment #90Lesh – give it a rest – it is the first day of a new season and you have clearly indicated that you are going to continue your agenda of disruption by your very weird and creepy stalking stalking routine.
First day and you are continuing with wokester shite. Give it a rest.
Peckham Mag
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:06 AM
Comment #91Haha I can assure you it isn’t porno sounds mate. A pal sent it to me this morning and got a proper laugh out of it!
Mund
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:09 AM
Comment #92Peckham
Risked it!
😆
WLtoon
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:10 AM
Comment #93You wouldn`t think it was match day with all the BS nonsense going on this morning, it`s pathetic..
As usual, you will get fans predicting Toon will hammer whoever they are playing, regardless of how good the opposition are, and today will be no different.
Opening games of the season are so unpredictable unless you are Citeh, probably a win saying as they`re a team apart from the rest, our game today isn`t guaranteed to be a walkover, especially as our opening games very rarely bring us 3 points, no matter who we play.
We are favourites to win, i think we will do it by the odd goal, but Southampton will be well up for this match .
I`ll go 2-1 Toon
What`s the odds Adam Armstrong scores for his birthday
Peckham Mag
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:10 AM
Comment #94Kind of hits the nail on the head doesn’t it!
Peckham Mag
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:13 AM
Comment #95That’s a sensible point WLtoon and very reasonably made, I just have a feeling it’s going to be a walloping today – I don’t think they’ll be able to cope with our running.
But pride before the fall and all that…
Poet Of Prudhoe Park
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:13 AM
Comment #96Munderpants makes that porno sound everytime Jelly Belly inserts his finger in him 😀
WLtoon
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:15 AM
Comment #97I will give the prediction game a miss this season, the blog might not be around by the end of the season so ……
Mister Tuff
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:19 AM
Comment #983 -0 to the Toon.
A Geordie Mongrel
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:20 AM
Comment #99Happy match day! The cut off for Eddie’s Bingo is 12:45 today. Entries here, https://www.nufcblog.com/2024/05/19/newcastle-finish-7th-with-good-4-2-win-but-now-wait-on-europa-conference-qualification/#comment-3032159
WLtoon
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:21 AM
Comment #100Peckham Mag,
Don`t get me wrong , i would love to see the Toon hammer Saints, and everyone else for that matter, i just take a level headed view of each game and i do know that our opening games tend to be a bit of a after the Lord Mayors show type of games.
I think we have only won 2 out of the last 10 opening games but hopefully today will be number 3.
I agree about our pace up front, it can be devastating and is our biggest asset, so i have went for the win with Isak and Gordon opening their accounts for the season.
Bills Son Is Back
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:31 AM
Comment #101OMHS mentioned there might not be as much buzz today with no new signings.
I get his point but in a way we will be playing Eddie’s first 11 – bar possibly Tonali – for the first time in months.
Whether that be Tipps or Tino, Hall or Kelly, we’ll still have one helluva team out and I reckon one player will be bursting at the seams… Jo.
He was out for a while, possibly a bit unsettled with initial contract talks but now signed up, fit, totally committed and motivated. I had Bruno as my POTS but it wouldn’t surprise me if it was Jo. He’s had two seasons of playing the mid role and I think he’ll excel this season.
I’m also looking for Murphy to really show us that a new RW isn’t an absolute priority. He’s looked dynamite pre-season and any doubts about his shoulder popping again will now be gone. He could be the player that has the most improved performances this season.
And then… Tonali. He is a like a new signing on the pitch but not at the club. He’s trained with us for a year, knows out gameplan and his teammates strengths and he has no excuse for not showing his top form from his first game. Another player who could be a game changer this season.
I’ve gone for us finishing 3rd but if Isak isn’t out for any length of time and we have a normal injury season I reckon we could be right in the mix for the title with 10 games to go.
HWTL.
The Bard of Bensham Bank
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:32 AM
Comment #102The Euros, I suppose, might have been ok
But the proper football is back today
Stuff these international games for a lark
I need the buzz of a match at St James’ Park
For King and country I still have the love
But for Newcastle United it’s beyond and above
It’s my club, my city, my heart lies there
And there’s no team or place that could ever compare
Nowhere else, for me, can induce such passion
It can make you glow or it can make you ashen
The highs are so high and the lows are so low
And through pride and fervour even tears may flow
Where would you rather be this afternoon
Than with the lads and lasses up at the Toon
Aal of them there wi’ smilin’ faces
Aal of them dreaming of Champions League places
This season’s new tops get their first proper airing
The same hopes and dreams that everyone’s sharing
As the Cathedral awaits it’s first congregation
Of the expectant and joyous Geordie Nation
We’ve always just wanted a club that tries
But now they’ve gone and put stars in our eyes
Now we believe that we’ve got it made
And we can become the bride, not just the bridesmaid
So as the lads run out onto the hallowed turf
We’ll support each one for all we’re worth
For anyone who wears the black and white
Deserves all our backing to aid in their fight
Today let’s put those Saints to the sword
And with none conceded and a hatful scored
We could be top of the league at the end of the day
But at the end of the season could it still be that way?
HWTL
Bills Son Is Back
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:36 AM
Comment #103We don’t need to hammer the Saints – altho that would be champion – we just need to win.
But remember, we slammed AC 5-1 first game last season and they finished 4th and CL. So a first game loss isn’t a disaster.
Mind, I might not thin that at 5pm if we’ve lost 🙂
The Bard of Bensham Bank
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:37 AM
Comment #104Unfortunately I’ll be there in spirit alone
As I’ll be watching a dodgy stream at home
I rang the club and asked for a ticket
But they politely declined, well they told me to stick it
So the exciting match day build up for me
Is the countdown we get from EGB
And I hardly slept a wink last neet
Thinking of Irish Rob and his ‘first’ teamsheet
Although Mund is here so he might make a play
To steal Irish Rob’s ‘first’ thunder away
I don’t know who’ll win, but I think we’ll find
EGB will be a thread behind!
Then of course we’ll have the matchday crew
Who get accused of coming here just to boo
But I reckon they do it just to give vent
And most of their criticisms are usually well meant
Although I’m looking forward to hearing it said
That it’s only Southampton that we’ve just put to bed
And they threw in the towel at three nil down
And we should wait until Citeh roll into town
But the biggest highlight of the day for me
Will be the return of someone we rarely see
I just can’t wait to hear the tactical advice
Of the blogging legend named Dennis Twice!
Poet Of Prudhoe Park
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:38 AM
Comment #105https://x.com/cooltechtipz/status/1824622707029196969
Massive tvs incoming
Toon Brigade
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:47 AM
Comment #106Is it matchday?
Munster Mag
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:53 AM
Comment #107Mund is going to beat me up. Ha! Such a tough guy. You might need soldier boy with you.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:55 AM
Comment #108WLtoon@#93 Opening EPL games, Won 11 lost 12 drew the rest.
Munster Mag
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:55 AM
Comment #109Bills first day of the season against promoted teams can always be a bit iffy. Glad we’re at home. 2-1 to Eddie’s Mags .
magicmac54
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:56 AM
Comment #110Good day folks,
So another premier league season has arrived, fans from all clubs will have high expectations and dreams for their respetive clubs up and down the country.
On the game today, we should have enough quality to come away with all 3 points and get off to a flying start, but these early season fixtures always seem to historically record unexpected shock results, so Eddie will no doubt have the team well briefed and in the right frame of mind to expect a difficult fixture.
My prediction the Toon to win 2-0
HWTL
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 17, 2024 at 11:59 AM
Comment #111Pug reckons 4-1
1-0
2-0
2-1
3-1
4-1
Poet Of Prudhoe Park
Aug 17, 2024 at 12:01 PM
Comment #112Joe Gomez leaving Liverpool
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 17, 2024 at 12:10 PM
Comment #1132 Hours 49 Minutes to KO.
WLtoon
Aug 17, 2024 at 12:13 PM
Comment #114Sir Pug.
You must be talking about our record since the PL began which is fair enough but i mentioned just our last 11 openers, though we have won our last two mind.
Poet Of Prudhoe Park
Aug 17, 2024 at 12:16 PM
Comment #115After last season and where we want to go this season if we don’t win today I’d be worried
magicmac54
Aug 17, 2024 at 12:20 PM
Comment #116I see a 4-1 prediction there, a bit early in the day for so many Red Stripes to have been consumed already 😀 😀 😀
Keep er lit
HWTL
lesh
Aug 17, 2024 at 12:22 PM
Comment #117Tuff
Now I’m not saying that you don’t deserve a reward from Fenham, but it appears you’re not ready for one yet.
Enjoy your day
lesh
Aug 17, 2024 at 12:25 PM
Comment #118Gomez leaving Liverpool…. Gouhie to Liverpool?
lochinvar
Aug 17, 2024 at 12:33 PM
Comment #119The premiership is unforgiving.
Last night manU scrapped 3 points when they were worth 1 at best , even 0 if Fulham had been more on the mark.
To get Top 3 there are no margins for error.
Losing 3-4 games in a season is probably the limit to ensure one of those Top 3 places.
Eddie and the Team now have to show a level of True Grit last seen by John Wayne.
Starting with a good strong win is needed.
With them all the way.
lochinvar
Aug 17, 2024 at 12:40 PM
Comment #120Lost track of the requests but have Wor Flags indicated if they have a Dr. Ed tribute banner today ?
If not we still need to sort that !
HWTL