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
Bills Son Is Back
Aug 17, 2024 at 12:41 PM
Comment #121If, and it’s a big if, teams like Brighton, WH, Chelsea and AV have strengthened to another level then they may take more points not only off each other but also off City, Arsenal and Liverpool.
If that pans out then the title could be more open than we expect.
And…
We might have a chance.
Raj of Hailsley
Aug 17, 2024 at 12:42 PM
Comment #122Is that Leif Davis playing today.
Raj of Hailsley
Aug 17, 2024 at 12:45 PM
Comment #123I thought we’d have an outside chance last season Bill’s, wheels fell off in November-ish unfortunately 🙁
Bills Son Is Back
Aug 17, 2024 at 12:58 PM
Comment #124On Guehi’s fee…
Eddie will surely be playing a part in this.
If Eddie really wants him signed then the club may say if we go to £70M you only have £20M to spend on one more player – then he has a decision to make.
The fact we’ve put in four offers leads me to believe Eddie is the driving force behind the deal.
Mitchell has a decision to make as well, does he agree the fee to help start a good relationship with Eddie, or does he walk away and impress PIF?
I reckon there is more to our four offers than just trying to play the negotiating game.
Mund
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:01 PM
Comment #125Bruno Guimaraes goes hard in his first programme column: “I want my photo to be in the reception like Sir Bobby Robson, Kevin Keegan, Jackie Milburn.
“I want to be a legend like them – but to truly achieve that, we need to lift a trophy.”
#NUFC
Bills Son Is Back
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:04 PM
Comment #126Jail…
That’s when the injuries and Tonali’s suspension started to hurt us when the CL games and two games a week really kicked in.
Eddie showed in the 4th finish season that he likes to keep a settled team and especially a settled back four. He isn’t one for rotation but that was forced on him last season.
That’s why I think the two FB choices today will be really interesting – IMO they will be Eddie’s first choices to go forward.
I’d go Liv and Hall but it wouldn’t surprise me if he went Tripps and Kelly for their experience.
Bills Son Is Back
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:06 PM
Comment #127Magic words from Bruno.
What a guy.
Raj of Hailsley
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:06 PM
Comment #128Bill’s,
Also when Pope got injured 😕
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:09 PM
Comment #129Magic, thank you 🙂
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:09 PM
Comment #130We will see.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:11 PM
Comment #131Mund we don’t agree on anything….other than this.
Bruno Guimaraes goes hard in his first programme column: “I want my photo to be in the reception like Sir Bobby Robson, Kevin Keegan, Jackie Milburn.
“I want to be a legend like them – but to truly achieve that, we need to lift a trophy.”
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:17 PM
Comment #132Bills.
On Guehi’s fee…
We offer £150M Parish will ask for 155M. It is going nowhere. Walk away, plenty fish in the sea.
Pick him up in 18 months and pay him £££ that we have saved now.
Regan
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:19 PM
Comment #133Meanwhile.. in Accrington.. 😆
Poet Of Prudhoe Park
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:20 PM
Comment #134https://x.com/wattspanesar/status/1824577186403356878
Sept 1st if Jelly Belly has his way 😀
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:25 PM
Comment #135Botman back by December ( I mean match fit and confident he can tackle hard) I have had that injury so you do slightly pull back to start with). However, we are not desperate for a defender. Right wing? Well Murphy or the AG/Barnes debate but we are covered. Midfield? no comment…. other than best in EPL at end of August.
Mund
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:25 PM
Comment #136Thank you Pug
That was a compliment for once
magicmac54
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:26 PM
Comment #137Sir Pug
We`ll keep the Rd Stripe flying high 😀 😀 😀
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:26 PM
Comment #138Regan, take a look on the Wild Side of Things
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG6fayQBm9w
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:27 PM
Comment #139Mund , I tend not to give compliments out. Except to Magic who is currently taking the P$$s
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:31 PM
Comment #140entente cordiale
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:32 PM
Comment #141Still owes me a tuna sandwich, Ruddy put him in it!
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:36 PM
Comment #142Picture Morning after match.. “Who took my sandwich?” Ruddy went and pointed ,,,,,, HIM! bang to rights. Rabbit was happy, we had to go to a cafe 🙂
Regan
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:39 PM
Comment #143Puglet..
Currently on the wild side.. 😆
Davas
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:41 PM
Comment #144Have we actually gone up much withe the overall price for Guehi or are we just changing the add ons offered
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:44 PM
Comment #145For the record. Magic never takes the p$$s
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:47 PM
Comment #146Newcastle United: Nick Pope, Tino Livramento, Fabian Schär, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall, Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimarães (c), Joelinton, Jacob Murphy, Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak.
Substitutes: Martin Dúbravka, Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, Lloyd Kelly, Matt Targett, Joe Willock, Miguel Almirón, Harvey Barnes, Will Osula.
Davas
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:48 PM
Comment #147Dibs still the no 2 keeper then
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:48 PM
Comment #148Blast I was sure he’d start trips! 10/11 🙂
magicmac54
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:48 PM
Comment #149Extreme after effects after consuming to many Red Stripes 😀 😀 😀
https://youtu.be/WGQvtKV5lbg?si=dKSV9YtkPKntDncL
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:49 PM
Comment #150That aint a bad bench!
Mund
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:49 PM
Comment #151So refreshing to see a decent bench!
HWTL
Mund
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:50 PM
Comment #152Keith Downie
@SkySports_Keith
NUFC team:
Pope; Livramemto, Schär, Burn, Hall; Longstaff, Bruno G, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
#NUFC
Confirmed! Fair play EGB
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:52 PM
Comment #153Mund, theres still life in the old dog yet! 🙂
Mund
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:53 PM
Comment #154Wonder how long we see Bruno with the captains armband…
Hopefully he keeps it
Davas
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:55 PM
Comment #155Targett on the bench too.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:56 PM
Comment #156Mund
He’s the one who has to talk to the ref, hmmm, could be interesting! 🙂
magicmac54
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:58 PM
Comment #157Starting to get a strong whiff of that Brut aftershave
Drum Roll Irish Rob is in the vicinity 😀 😀 😀
HWTL
magicmac54
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:59 PM
Comment #158Full house in Eddie`s bingo 😀
Bigjim67
Aug 17, 2024 at 1:59 PM
Comment #159Good to see Dr Ed’s blog still steaming along, thank you Neil.
3-1 toon. Isak and Gordon to score
HWTL
Munster Mag
Aug 17, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Comment #160A bench at last and Bruno captain. Legendary! And the Irish boys have flags up at the Stack 🙂