Eddie Howe always takes things one game at a time at Newcastle United, but his team selection against Bayer Leverkusen must take Sunderland into consideration.
Newcastle United’s relentless schedule sees them travel to Germany for a Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen before heading to Wearside to face Sunderland.
It is the first Tyne-Wear derby in the Premier League since 2016, with the Magpies attempting to claim bragging rights over their local rivals.
The Bayer Leverkusen clash takes precedence right now, but Eddie Howe must make a change to his Newcastle United starting XI to give him a better chance against Sunderland.
Imagine you’re Eddie Howe, are you tempted to start Yoane Wissa against Bayer Leverkusen? 👀
Newcastle United must change formation to protect Tino Livramento
Newcastle are a different team with Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall.
Their returns to fitness have coincided with the Magpies finding form, with both players playing spectacularly well.
But for all their importance, Howe must continue to protect the young duo so soon after injury. That means rotating them, which is something the Newcastle United manager has done in recent weeks.
Hall was benched against Marseille and Burnley, and now it should be Livramento’s turn to sit out. Howe must use the Bayer Leverkusen game as a chance to rest the 23-year-old.
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However, that will only be possible if he changes system. Reserve right-backs Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth are unavailable due to injury, which means Livramento does not have a direct replacement.
With that in mind, Howe should shift to a back five against Bayer Leverkusen and deploy Jacob Murphy at wing-back. He has done well in that role before, and will be fresh after not featuring in the 2-1 win over Burnley.
In turn, that would mean Livramento can be utilised on the left in the second half to give Hall a rest as well.
You’re allowed to make THREE changes to Newcastle’s team against Bayer Leverkusen – what do you do?
This issue sums up why Newcastle United need a full-back in January
The issues that Newcastle United are enduring right now sum up exactly why January is such an important month.
It has been reported that Newcastle want to sign a full-back, and it is not difficult to work out why.
Ideally, the Magpies need to buy a left-back. The fact that Hall’s main understudy is Dan Burn is worrying considering how much the 33-year-old has struggled in that position.
But Newcastle will also be looking for options on the right. Trippier is 35-years-old and in the final year of his contract, while Krafth’s Newcastle United deal also expires in 2026.