Looking at this Newcastle team v Qarabag FK.
Eddie Howe’s side aiming to follow up the wins over Spurs and Aston Villa.
Hopefully becoming three away victories in a row in three different competitions.
Which would also mean of course, having taken a huge step towards the last 16 of the Champions League.
Eddie Howe looking to pick a Newcastle United team v Qarabag FK that can give NUFC a major advantage ahead of Tuesday’s second leg at St James’ Park.
As a reminder, this was the Newcastle team v Aston Villa four nights ago:
Ramsdale, Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Ramsey, Tonali, Barnes, Jacob Murphy, Woltemade, Osula
In his pre-match press conference, Eddie Howe saying that Joelinton has travelled and could potentially feature in the matchday squad, depending on how he is able to train.
However, Eddie Howe still without Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, Bruno Guimaraes Sven Botman, Yoane Wissa, Lewis Miley and Emil Krafth has undergone surgery for a knee problem.
Taking all of that into consideration…
This is my predicted Newcastle team v Qarabag FK:
Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Ramsey, Tonali, Willock, Barnes, Elanga, Gordon
If the above ends up as the reality, it would mean four changes for Eddie Howe compared to the team that started against Aston Villa.
With coming in – Pope, Willock, Elanga, Gordon
Dropping out – Ramsdale, Jacob Murphy, Woltemade, Osula
This returns the team largely to how it looked in the win against Spurs, certainly in terms of the attacking set-up.
With at least seven players unavailable, Eddie Howe having to juggle his limited resources.
I think tonight is one where he will put out what he sees as his strongest eleven, certainly in terms of how he’ll want to play against this opposition.
Qarabag FK don’t sit back, especially at home, so I think there will be plenty of space for the likes of Gordon, Elanga, Willock and Barnes to run into, particularly with swift counter-attacking. Only Kairat Almaty who finished 36th of 36 in the Swiss League stage,, conceded more goals than the 21 Qarabag FK conceded in their eight Champions League matches.
Mobility and pace the key, so Ramsey and Tonali also fitting that bill.
Nick Woltemade no doubt getting some minutes from the bench at some point, hopefully Joelinton as well. I can’t see the Brazil international getting thrown straight back into the team for this one, even if deemed fully fit. Fingers crossed that he and Big Nick, Murphy and Osula as well, are coming on to help see out a winning position.