Two changes? - Predicted Newcastle team to face Leeds today

With kick-off just a few hours away, it's time to predict which side Eddie Howe will select to take on Sam Allardyce's Leeds.

Here's the side we think could start today's 12.30pm clash at Elland Road and why:

(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Willock, Bruno, Joelinton – Almiron, Isak, Saint-Maximin.

It’s clear Longstaff won’t play, meaning we must find the balance and discipline we lacked in midfield last weekend. Howe will have been working to solve that weak point, but it’s anyone’s guess what he does with Isak and Wilson.

Both seem too good to bench, especially away to a relegation-threatened Leeds who’ve been awful at home recently, yet we lacked balance when starting both in a 4-4-3 against Arsenal. This is a very different game, meaning a fit-again Allan Saint-Maximin will come back into contention.

I see Leeds setting up with a low block and trying to frustrate us, meaning the electric Frenchman could offer the spark needed to unlock the door. It seems harsh on Wilson, I just can’t see Isak dropping out of the side and think we’ll also see Almiron return to the XI.

Howe declared him ‘100% fit’ in Friday’s press conference and Murphy struggled last Sunday, so this could be the right time to reintroduce our second top scorer.