Eddie Howe to make EIGHT changes? - Predicted Newcastle side to face Crystal Palace tonight

As we edge closer to tonight's Carabao Cup third round tie against Crystal Palace, it's time to predict which side Eddie Howe will select at St James' Park.

Keeping recent game time, fitness and Saturday's clash with Chelsea in mind, here's the 11 I can see starting:

(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Lascelles, Burn, Targett – Shelvey, Joelinton, Anderson – Fraser, Wood, Saint-Maximin.

We are clearly taking cup competitions seriously these days, but a much changed team doesn’t mean a weak one, as I expect those who come in to be desperate to impress after a series of unchanged sides.

I think Nick Pope will keep his place in goal, mainly because I expect our back four to be much changed. I see Matt Targett coming in at left-back, Dan Burn moving across and partnering Jamaal Lascelles and Kieran Trippier keeping his place just to keep some familiarity to our defence. That said, it would be no surprise if Javier Manquillo starts given the hamstring scare we saw at Southampton.

In midfield, Jonjo Shelvey could make his first start of the season alongside Joelinton; who will be fresh after a one-game ban gave him a rest on Sunday. The third slot in midfield is harder to call. I think Bruno will be given a night off – he’ll be shattered after recently becoming a Dad for the first time – so think it’ll be between Sean Longstaff and Elliot Anderson. The latter might edge it, as he surely needs game time in the cups to justify our decision to resist a summer loan.

Up top, Chris Wood seems certain to replace a “run down” Callum Wilson, with Allan Saint-Maximin making his first start since August. It’s hard to know what Howe will do with ASM, but he’ll only build up his match fitness by playing games and has trained over the past fortnight. On the other flank, Ryan Fraser seems a decent bet to start and will be eager to impress after Jacob Murphy has edged him out of the side in recent months. Almiron is like the Durraccel bunny so could go again, but he’s another that could be protected for Saturday after he was forced off with fatigue at St Mary’s.

OUT: Schar, Botman, Guimaraes, Willock, Longstaff, Almiron, Murphy, Wilson.

IN: Lascelles, Targett, Shelvey, Joelinton, Anderson, Fraser, Saint-Maximin, Wood.