Sheffield Wednesday (A) Pre-match thoughts, team news & predicted line-ups

A huge eight days for Newcastle United is upon us.

It all starts with an FA Cup with Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday night, but after that comes a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Leicester next Tuesday and a Premier League meeting with an in-form Fulham side a week on Sunday.

The Owls are on the up and have enjoyed a superb start to the season, sitting second in League One. They've lost just once in the league since early October and have scored seven goals in their last two games at Hillsborough, so they're a side in form.

Back to Eddie Howe's Mags, I believe we made another statement in Tuesday's 0-0 draw at Arsenal. OK, we didn't create a great deal and lacked quality on the ball at times, but we stopped the Gunners scoring for the first time this season and became the first Premier League team to come away from the Emirates with a result in 2022/23.

The challenge now is how a full of confidence yet fatigued squad challenges on three front, with crucial FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Premier League games all to come over the next week.

Speaking to the press on Friday morning, here's what Howe had to say ahead of our trip to Sheffield:

"We want an FA Cup run. I'd take the congested fixtures that'd bring. It's down to me to get balance right of how we prepare this game and team we pick. We want to get through but we have another cup game next Tuesday.

"These games are so difficult. There is no guarantee you will win. The biggest thing for us is how we approach the game and the mentality of the team I do pick - their motivation levels, their professionalism, their desire.

"This is going to be a very difficult game. I've watched a lot of Sheffield Wednesday. They're a very good team having a great season. So we are under no illusions this is a difficult task, made all the more difficult if we're not in the right place ourselves."

Team news

Alexander Isak could return to the squad after resuming first-team training this week, but there'll be no Jonjo Shelvey (calf), Matt Targett (heel), Emil Krafth (ACL) or Paul Dummett (calf).

Howe revealed on Friday morning that he's yet to pick his team. He's hinted at rotation to give fringe players an opportunity, but is conscious of getting the balance right after our last FA Cup fixture under the 45-year-old ended in a shock defeat to Cambridge at St James' Park.

For the Owls, key midfielder Barry Bannan has been ruled out by Sheffield Wednesday boss Darren Moore.

Predicted line ups

(4-3-3): Dubravka - Manquillo, Lascelles, Botman, Lewis - Longstaff, Joelinton, Anderson - Murphy, Wood, Saint-Maximin.

It's not like Eddie Howe to make so many changes - he's largely stuck with the same side in recent weeks - but with three games in eight days and a massive cup quarter final to think about next Tuesday, this feels like the perfect time to rotate.

Dubravka has returned for game time and rarely let us down before Pope's arrival, so I wouldn't be surprised if he got the nod in goal.

At full-back, we probably need to wrap Burn and Trippier in cotton wool given our lack of depth down both flanks. Jamal Lewis is finally fit again and in a "good place" according to Howe, meaning he and Manquillo may be handed a rare chance to impress.

At the back, Botman could stay in the side to help cope with their physicality alongside Jamaal Lascelles; the club captain who's been praised for his behind the scenes professionalism this week.

In midfield, Willock limped off with cramp at Arsenal and Bruno - who also looked leggy on Tuesday - is another who needs to be protected. I can see Longstaff keeping his place alongside Joelinton, with Elliot Anderson starting alongside them in a midfield three.

Up top, this could be an ideal chance for Allan Saint-Maximin to show Howe what he's been missing, with Chris Wood and Jacob Murphy in contention to replace Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron; two others who may be saved for next week's double header at St James' Park.

Prediction

Wednesday are in good form and will be gunning for an FA Cup upset in front of the BBC cameras, but this Newcastle United side are fit, full of confidence and rarely let complacency slip into their game these days.

Anderson and Wood to score in a comfortable win for Eddie's Mags!

Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday 1-3 Newcastle