Looking at this Newcastle United team v Crystal Palace.
Eddie Howe’s side aiming to make it three Premier League wins in four games
That excellent win with 10 men against Man U, then of course another great display and victory at Chelsea.
Before then throwing away the Sunderland match.
Newcastle United looking to get a run together in these final seven matches of the season.
What felt like a never ending international break now finally at an end after three weeks of no football.
As a reminder, this was the Newcastle team v Sunderland:
Ramsdale, Trippier, Botman, Burn, Hall, Ramsey, Joelinton, Woltemade, Elanga, Gordon, Barnes
In his pre-match press conference on Friday, Eddie Howe saying that both Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar won’t be available after experiencing illness/injury setbacks.
In better news, the NUFC manager confirming that Sven Botman, Lewis Miley and Sandro Tonali are all expected to be available.
Taking all of that into consideration…
This is my predicted Newcastle United team v Crystal Palace:
Pope, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Ramsey, Joelinton, Tonali, Woltemade, Gordon, Barnes
If the above ends up as the reality, it would mean four changes for Eddie Howe compared to the team that started against Sunderland
With coming in – Pope, Livramento, Thiaw, Tonali
Dropping out – Ramsdale, Trippier, Botman, Elanga
Needless to say, Eddie Howe will have been putting a lot of thought into how he wants to approach these final seven games of the season, the players he wants to rely on.
Obviously a massive blow to hear that Bruno Guimaraes is likely to miss at least a further couple of matches. Whilst Fabian Schar will be available for the very final matches of the season, if at all.
Aaron Ramsdale had done OK during his run in the team but then conceded the seven goals in Barcelona and then a really poor mistake when helping to gift that Sunderland equaliser.
As I say, I don’t think he has been terrible, but more a case of he hasn’t given a compelling case of why he should stay in the team.
I believe Eddie Howe will give Nick Pope the chance of coming back for this final stretch of matches, having had time out to refresh and refocus.
Kieran Trippier has played well but I think we need the extra energy and mobility that Tino Livramento provides. His pace when helping to deal with breaks from the opposition is also invaluable.
Sven Botman looks set to be available but if playing, will be wearing a protective mask. I think Malick Thiaw would have returned regardless but the mask issue with the Dutch defender surely rubberstamps that.
Sandro Tonali returning to the midfield looks sure to happen, along with Ramsey and Joelinton that can help United to win the vital midfield battle.
My suspicion as well is that Nick Woltemade will be back playing up front and Gordon on the left, Barnes on the right. Gordon has scored in all of the last three Premier League matches and not a case of his role not working, I just think time now for Big Nick to go back up top and for him to add goal threat on top of what Barnes and Gordon provide.
If Eddie Howe doesn’t go for Big Nick up front, then I reckon Gordon through the middle will remain, with Barnes on the left and Elanga the right. We also of course have the wildcard of Yoane Wissa, buoyed by his World Cup finals qualification with DR Congo, will he now play a far bigger role in these final six weeks of the season?