Newcastle vs West Brom - Predicted line-up and match preview
Newcastle United are back at St James' Park tonight, taking on West Brom in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
New boss Matthias Jaissle will be looking to build on the momentum gained from Sunday's heartbreaking yet hugely positive display against Liverpool, with his trophy ambitions already made clear following successful spells in Austria and Saudi Arabia.
It will be a different test and a totally different atmosphere, coming up against Championship opposition who have started 2026/27 with back-to-back wins over Norwich and Burnley after beating Rotherham 4-1 in the opening round.
But that in itself adds to the intrigue. How will Jaissle's style and 4-2-3-1 system hold up against a side likely to sit deeper? Will Nico Gonzalez be unveiled, and can we see more positive performances, whether that's Nick Woltemade, summer signings or Under-21 talents hoping to seize their chance.
Who starts?
Predicted Newcastle XI: Jaouen - Shahar, Thiaw, Schar, Hall - Bamba, Ramsey - Murphy, Willock, Toure - Woltemade.
Mass rotation doesn't feel needed so early in the season, especially when our schedule this term is unlikely to be particularly taxing without Europe. However, Jaissle is still working out his best 11 and has plenty of talented young options eager for game time.
Mix that with Saturday's trip to Spurs, where we're likely to see a VERY similar side to the one that drew with Liverpool, and I think we'll see another new-look XI tonight.
Jaouen just makes sense, Shahar was rested by the Under-21s earlier this week, Schar is nailed on and at left-back, Hall may get 45-60 minutes before a Dedic or Pivas takes his place?
Bamba and Ramsey will be itching to impress; we'll almost certainly see Toure make his competitive debut down the left, while Willock, Murphy and Woltemade feel like the final pieces of tonight's attack now Osula is injured, unless one of them is closer to a move than we realise.
Should that be the case, or should Jaissle opt to give more Academy talents a chance, Neave may be one to watch after 45 minutes for the Under-21s on Monday and a few eye-catching cameos over pre-season.
Who wins?
Always tough to predict based on a lesser-known opponent and the unpredictability of our line-up, but I'm backing us to build on Sunday's display and get over the line.
Toure to shine, Ramsey to stake a claim for more starts in midfield and Woltemade to score in a comfortable home win that sends us into the third round.
Prediction: Newcastle 3-1 West Brom
Howay the lads!
