Eddie Howe has named his starting lineup ahead of Newcastle United’s Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday night.
It is a big week for Newcastle United.
They could certainly do with a victory in the Champions League, although Sunday’s trip to Sunderland is arguably the much bigger game.
During Tuesday night’s press conference in Germany, Howe confirmed he would pick a strong starting lineup against Leverkusen.
The Newcastle United manager has certainly done that.
Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes flank Woltemade in attack, while both Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall start too.
Newcastle United’s CONFIRMED XI vs Bayer Leverkusen. What changes would you have made?
Eddie Howe sticks to his word and goes VERY strong 👀
Dan Burn replaces Fabian Schar as Malick Thiaw’s defensive partner.
These are big calls from Howe, who has the small matter of a trip to Wearside to navigate on Sunday.
It will be interesting to see how Gordon and Barnes lineup.
Both are more comfortable on the left but have operated on the right to varying degrees of success.
Gordon, Woltemade and Barnes linked up well together against Benfica earlier on in the tournament and, hopefully, things click again in Germany.
Can you name the player?
Newcastle will face this man very soon…
It’s a shame he didn’t come to Newcastle, we could do with him right now 😓
Newcastle United name strongest bench in months
A look to the bench is also promising.
Yoane Wissa, Jacob Ramsey, Anthony Elanga and Jacob Murphy all offer genuine firepower in reserve.
Lewis Miley and a resurgent Joe Willock can freshen up the midfield, too.
What this means for Sunday’s game remains to be seen. Still, Howe said he’d go strong, and that’s exactly what he has done.
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