🏆 Bromley (H) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line up and prediction
Newcastle United's end to 2024 and start to 2025 has been something special. SEVEN straight wins, five clean sheets, 20 goals, just two conceded, an Alexander Isak hat-trick and big wins at Man Utd, Spurs and Arsenal, sending us up to 5th and 90-minutes away from the Carabao Cup final.
Tuesday was, for me, the biggest win of the Eddie Howe era, not only helping us move close to another final at Wembley and a stab at silverware, but for the way we imposed our style against a top side, played the perfect game tactically and defended for our lives.
This weekend we're in cup action again, only this time it's the FA Cup and another chance to progress, where Andy Woodman (the father of Freddie and former Newcastle coach) brings his Bromley side to St James' Park.
Howe’s pre-match quotes
Howe on rotation - “We knew going into the Arsenal game the lads that had played the majority of the minutes were in a good place mentally but physically they were a little bit tired.
We knew we would have to rotate our squad but we’ve got very good players that are desperate to play and desperate to show their qualities. It’s a good game for them to showcase those qualities but also we have to get through so we have to pick a strong enough squad.”
Howe on the FA Cup - "It's still the FA Cup. I don't think it's changed at all. The FA Cup was the competition when I was growing up and was one of the things that attracted me to football.
"The knockout competition and the drama that it gave was one of the things that hooked me very early in my life. There's still a magic to it and we're on the other side going into this game where Bromley will have all the hope and the magic of the cup. We need to make sure we're really professional and try to get the job done."
Howe on Isak - “He (Isak) is seeing his physio at the moment and we’ve given him a couple of days rest but we think he’s in a good place and he’ll report back tomorrow.
“We would have probably involved him in some way [against Bromley] but with what’s happened he’ll probably be given this game to rest and get himself right for our future schedule.”
Howe on Dubravka's future - "He's been a very good professional for us. He's come into the team and compliments to him because it's difficult for a goalkeeper. When Nick was playing he wasn't, he had to stay ready and had to stay focused. I know how much Newcastle means to him and you can see that.
"Emotionally he's very invested. All those things will be playing a part into his decision making and our decision making. Hopefully there's a successful outcome at the end."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-wecENkvHo
Team news
Alexander Isak (hamstring) and Sven Botman (groin) are both OK despite feeling tightness on Tuesday, but the pair are expected to be rested for this one, keeping them fresh for two league games next week.
Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimaraes are back from suspensions and Emil Krafth is in contention to return from a broken collarbone. Nick Pope (knee), Callum Wilson (hamstring) and Jamaal Lascelles (ACL) remain out
Predicted line-up
(4-3-3): Vlachodimos - Trippier, Schar, Kelly, Targett - Longstaff, Bruno, Miley - Almiron, Osula, Barnes.
That would mean wholesale changes from our midweek win over Arsenal, but with our best XI on fire, fatigued at the end of Tuesday's game and facing two league games next week against Wolves and Bournemouth, it feels like a perfect time to rotate.
Not only that, this would hand several fringe players and a few youngsters a big chance to impress Eddie Howe against League Two Bromley.
A few I'm unsure on are Targett - Kelly could move to left-back if Krafth is fine to start at centre-back and Almiron just in case we're keen to protect him ahead of a potential January exit.
It'll be great to see Miley back in action after a 2024 disrupted by a few injuries, while Osula will surely get his chance from the start with Isak rested and Wilson out injured.
It could also be a chance for Kelly to build some confidence and play in his best position, with Greek stopper Vlachoidimos also likely to be in goal with Pope absent and Dubravka in the midst of discussing his future.
Match prediction
It's tough to say how the game will pan out, as we know little about Sunday's opponents and aren't sure just how many changes Howe will make.
Either way, we are absolutely flying at the minute, will field several players keen to prove a point and should keep this incredible run going against a Bromley side currently sat 12th in the fourth-tier.
Prediction: Newcastle 3-0 Bromley
Howay the lads!
