Looking at this Newcastle United team v Barcelona.
Eddie Howe’s side aiming to follow up that excellent home performance against Barcelona at St James’ Park.
Which then of course saw another great display at Chelsea.
United deserving two wins and two clean sheets but that very late Barcelona penalty depriving Eddie Howe’s side of that.
Can Newcastle United finish off the job they started eight days ago against Barcelona, move through to the Champions League quarter-finals?
We are about to find out.
As a reminder, this was the Newcastle team v Chelsea four nights ago:
Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Willock, Ramsey, Gordon, Barnes, Jacob Murphy, Woltemade
In his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Eddie Howe saying that he is hoping to have Sandro Tonali and Joe Willock available. Tonali recovering from illness, whilst Willock had a knock on Saturday.
However, the United boss revealing that Lewis Miley is still not ready to return, the teenager back on Tyneside continuing to work his way back to full fitness.
So it looks like at least four players remain missing. Eddie Howe still set to be without Lewis Miley, Bruno Guimaraes, Emil Krafth and Fabian Schar.
Taking all of that into consideration…
This is my predicted Newcastle United team v Barcelona:
Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Joelinton, Tonali, Ramsey, Gordon, Barnes, Elanga
If the above ends up as the reality, it would mean four changes for Eddie Howe compared to the team that started against Chelsea.
With coming in – Burn, Joelinton, Tonali, Elanga
Dropping out – Jacob Murphy, Woltemade, Willock, Botman
An interesting team selection for Eddie Howe lies ahead and finally some positive dilemmas.
Especially in defence. The United boss set to decide between Trippier and Tino, as well as Burn or Botman.
My prediction is that the Newcastle United team will very much revert back to the kind of look it had in the first leg against Barcelona. Eddie Howe went for pace and mobility as much as possible, then for a variety of reasons made six outfield changes for the win at Chelsea.
I see four of the six who played against Barcelona at St James’ Park (but then didn’t start at Chelsea), to return to the team. In the shape of Burn, Elanga, Tonali and Joelinton.
However, I expect Gordon and Livramento to start today, with Trippier and Osula missing out. Illness prevented Gordon starting last midweek, whilst Tino was still coming back to full fitness.