Looking at this Newcastle United team v Brighton.
Eddie Howe’s side aiming to get United back into winning form.
Premier League victories over Man U and Chelsea, then followed by losses to the Mackems, Palace, Bournemouth and Arsenal.
As a reminder, this was the Newcastle team v Arsenal:
Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Bruno, Tonali, Ramsey, Willock, Jacob Murphy, Osula
In his pre-match press conference on Friday, Eddie Howe saying that he hopes to have Anthony Gordon back available but he will be monitored in training ahead of the match.
Tino Livramento, Emil Krafth and Fabian Schar set to be missing.
Whilst for Joelinton he is now back after two match suspension.
Taking all of that into consideration…
This is my predicted Newcastle United team v Brighton:
Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton, Gordon, Osula, Elanga
If the above ends up as the reality, it would mean four changes for Eddie Howe compared to the team that started against Arsenal.
With coming in – Hall, Joeinton, Gordon, Elanga
Dropping out – Burn, Ramsey, Willock, Jacob Murphy
I thought the team did well last weekend and deserved at least a draw against a nervous Arsenal.
Nevertheless, I think there will be changes made by Eddie Howe.
Dan Burn did okay against Arsenal but after having that break, I think Lewis Hall will be back in. We need him, as much as anything, to help give us as much of an attacking threat as possible.
Assuming Anthony Gordon will be available, then a no-brainer that he plays as well. If Hall and Gordon are paired together on the left, that should give more of a threat from that side of the pitch.
Joelinton as well is somebody I have no doubt Eddie Howe will play. I think Ramsey has been playing to a decent level but the manager will want his go to midfield trio out there today.
I think the other two forward positions are tougher to call.
Jacob Murphy wasn’t great at Arsenal and so for me, I think Eddie Howe will play Barnes or Elanga on that side of the pitch. With my belief being that he will go with the former Forest winger.
Osula has done alright through the middle, working hard and scoring against Palace and Bournemouth. My preference would be to see Nick Woltemade, or even Yoane Wissa, given a start. However, I think most likely that Osula plays again.
If things aren’t going great, then my prediction is that Wissa and Big Nick will be brought on with plenty of time still to play.