Two changes and Botman starts - Predicted Newcastle line-up for Arsenal semi-final
After six-straight wins in all competitions, Newcastle United travel to Arsenal tonight for the first leg of our Carabao Cup semi-final tie.
Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar are both suspended, with Nick Pope, Callum Wilson, Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles also ruled out. However, the Gunners have injury issues of their own with wingers Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri all absent.
With all of that in mind, here's the side we're expecting Eddie Howe to go with ahead of tonight's 8pm kick-off:
Predicted XI vs Arsenal
(4-3-3): Dubravka – Trippier, Botman, Burn, Hall – Longstaff, Tonali, Joelinton – Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
At centre-back, I think Sven Botman will be OK to start again. Howe revealed yesterday that he'll speak to the Dutchman and our medical team to see if he's able to start again, also confirming that he was forced off with cramp and nothing more. With Schar out and the stakes so high, I think he'll start again, especially with Lloyd Kelly low on confidence and Krafth out.
Tino Livramento was superb on Saturday, but with Bruno and Schar both out, I think Kieran Trippier’s calmness, quality on the ball and big-game experience could be key down our right. He was also rested at Spurs after starting our previous two games against Aston Villa and Man Utd.
In midfield, it sounds like Sean Longstaff is in line to replace Bruno. The Geordie midfielder has lost his place in the side of late, but his ability plug gaps and defend in games we have less of the ball is well known to Howe, with Longstaff in the side that helped us beat Arsenal 1-0 at St James' Park back in November.
Joe Willock is an option, as is a fit-again Lewis Miley, but the former often plays down the left - a role Joelinton will almost certainly fill - and the latter seems unlikely to be thrown into a game of this magnitude after easing his way back from two long injuries and no pre-season.
In attack, our in-form trio of Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy look set to go again, with the likes of Harvey Barnes and Will Osula expected to start Sunday's FA Cup clash with Bromley.
How do you see us lining up? Comment below with your predicted line-up.
Howay the lads!
