Huddersfield (H): Pre-match thoughts, team news & predicted line-ups
After hammering Cardiff and coming from behind to beat Man City in our last two league games at St James' Park, you'd expect us to beat a rock bottom Huddersfield - but we all know that things at Newcastle never tend to pan out as they should!
We're on a solid run and have played much better over the last month, but the fact Huddersfield have won just 1 point from their last 13 games worries me. Why you may ask? Well, yes they're on a wretched run and look as good as down, but this makes me fear that we might just underestimate them.
There can be no room for complacency here. Some will be turning up expecting an easy 3 points and simply focusing on what could be Miguel Almiron's debut instead, but that must NOT be the mindset.
It may seem our most winnable game between now and mid-May, however we've generally been pretty woeful at picking up points at home this season - so no game is ever a given.
Friday night's results couldn't have went any better either, with Watford hammering Cardiff 5-1 in their own back yard and Fulham losing at West Ham - meaning we could now go 11 points clear of the cottagers if we come away with a victory here.
It's a huge opportunity to gain another precious 3 points, with a win taking us to 28 points and potentially just a few wins from safety as we now enter the home straight.
Predicted XI
For once, Rafa has several selection headaches almost all over the pitch aside from Rondon up top - although I'd also argue that Dubravka's spot in the side should be nailed on despite recent mistakes.
The big ones are A) does he start Almiron and B) which two midfielders does he pick given Longstaff, Hayden, Ki, Diame and Shelvey are now all fit.
Personally, I'm pretty confident he'll start Almiron. He's stated he's 'ready' and up to speed and will also be aware of what a boost it would give the 52,000 around St James' Park to hear that he'll be making his full debut (with grumbles from the crowd also inevitable if he was named on the bench!).
I think he'll come in for Atsu, but what I'm struggling to predict is the midfield duo he'll select.
Longstaff is nailed on for me - and that says a lot about how good he's been over the last month or so - but I fancy Diame to come in for Hayden. The latter has been superb, but he is a player that's set to leave at the end of the season, while Diame is someone Rafa must hand starts to if his contract clause is to be activated. That aside, Diame has proven himself to be our most effective holding midfielder over the past 12 to 18 months also, so he deserves his spot in the side now he's fit.
As far as Shelvey and Ki are concerned, I don't see either starting, with Ki not quite looking 100% in the CSKA friendly and Shelvey having only just returned to full training.
Preferred NUFC XI – (3-4–2-1) – Dubravka– Schar, Lascelles, Lejeune – Yedlin, Longstaff, Diame, Ritchie – Perez, Almiron – Rondon.
The Opposition
Here’s a few ‘ones to watch’ in the Huddersfield side:
Aaron Mooy - A player I'd happily have at Newcastle if and when they go down and someone we must stop tomorrow, with him being the one player that makes them tick from midfield. He's tenacious off the ball and very capable on it, being someone who rarely surrenders possession.
Phillip Billing - The rangy midfielder caused us as much problems as anyone in the reverse fixture and is someone who will shoot on sight - something that could be used to test a potentially nervy Martin Dubravka.
Predicted Huddersfield XI - (4-1-2-1-2)– Lossl - Smith, Zanka, Schindler, Kongolo - Hogg - Mooy, Billing - Puncheon - Diakhaby, Grant.
Team news
Benitez has confirmed that Almiron is 'ready to start' but claims he's yet to make a decision on him.
Shelvey, Ki, Diame and Dummett have all been passed fit too, with Rafa stating that Clark and Elliot will be the only two players missing.
Prediction
I'm cautious about this one, but I do think we'll be 'at it', believing that we are in too much of a precarious position to take this one lightly.
Yes they look down and out and a side we should beat comfortably based on recent performances, but they've vowed to battle until the end - so we must match them and more stride for stride.
It's now the business end of the season and I believe this is exactly when the Benitez factor shows more than ever - with this being the exact sort of stage we really kicked on this time last year.
An Almiron masterclass would be lovely, but the primary focus here has to be 3 points - and I think that's what we'll come away with.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-0 Huddersfield
Howay the lads!
