Millwall vs Newcastle - Predicted lineup and match preview
Newcastle are back in Carabao Cup action tonight, heading to Millwall for an 8pm kick-off at The Den with a place in the last 16 up for grabs.
Saturday’s fightback against Bournemouth kept our unbeaten start intact, but there was plenty for Matthias Jaissle to work on. The character was there. The passing and intensity, particularly in that first half, often weren’t.
Millwall have had a mixed start to the season, with convincing wins and heavy defeats already. Their injury problems have piled up, but they responded to last week’s 3-0 loss against Wrexham by smashing Bolton 4-0 on Saturday. So, depleted or not, we can’t turn up expecting an easy night.
There could be changes on both sides, mind. Millwall made TEN changes against Cambridge in the previous round, keeping just one player from their previous league starting XI. Newcastle at home is a different proposition, but with their squad stretched and the league surely taking priority, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them rotate again.
For Jaissle, it feels like a good opportunity to give some fresh faces a start while keeping enough strength in the side to get the job done.
Who starts?
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Hornicek - Dedic, Thiaw, Schar, Hall - Steur, Nico Gonzalez - Murphy, Ramsey, Toure - Fernandez-Pardo
Six changes from Saturday, but still a side with enough experience and quality to get through.
With Ewen Jaouen an injury doubt and Tino Livramento not ready to start, I’m expecting Hornicek to continue in goal and Dedic to keep his place at right-back. Schar comes in for Botman, with Thiaw and Hall completing the defence. Burn, Joelinton and Osula remain out.
Steur alongside Nico looks a sensible midfield pairing. It gives the Dutchman another opportunity to dictate play without asking him to carry all the defensive responsibility, while Ramsey can operate further forward after his late equaliser against Bournemouth.
Murphy and Toure should get their chance out wide. Toure scored on his first competitive start in our 3-2 win over West Brom, and tonight offers another opportunity to push Barnes for more minutes.
Fernandez-Pardo is the selection I’m particularly keen to see. After his debut from the bench on Saturday, a start through the middle would give us a better look at how he combines with Ramsey and the two wide players. It also gives Wissa a breather without leaving us short of attacking options.
Who wins?
Millwall’s weekend result deserves respect, but our predicted side should have enough to control the midfield and create chances, especially if Neil makes another batch of changes.
The key will be to get around Fernandez-Pardo and give him support. Wissa was too isolated for spells against Bournemouth, so Ramsey getting close to our striker and the wide players making runs beyond him will matter against a team expected to sit back.
A first Newcastle goal for MFP would be ideal. More than anything, though, I’d take a controlled performance, a clean sheet and a place in the fourth round.
Prediction: Millwall 0-2 Newcastle
Howay the lads!
