Eddie Howe drops £117m trio: Newcastle United’s predicted starting XI v Tottenham Hotspur
Newcastle United’s predicted starting XI to face Tottenham Hotspur at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has a number of difficult selection calls to make against Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon (kick-off 2pm).
Starting in defence, Howe will need to decide whether to stick with Dan Burn at left-back or recall Matt Targett after the Blyth-born defender came under some harsh criticism for his performance in the 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa last Saturday.
In midfield, Sean Longstaff dropped out of the starting XI but only because of illness. Howe confirmed on Friday that the Geordie is back to full health - so will that mean an immediate recall?
Meanwhile, top goal scorer Miguel Almiron made his comeback from a thigh injury as a substitute at Villa Park following a four-game absence. And of course, the dilemma Howe faces every week - Callum Wilson or Alexander Isak?
Here’s the Newcastle starting XI NewcastleWorld is predicting Howe to name - which includes three changes:
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1. GK: Nick Pope
Pope has started every Premier League game for the Magpies this campaign following his summer move from Burnley.
2. RB: Kieran Trippier
Trippier, like many of his teammates, had an off day against Aston Villa. The right-back remains an invaluable player.
3. CB: Fabian Schar
Schar has featured in 28 of Newcastle’s 30 league games and, excluding last Saturday, has formed a strong centre-back partnership with Sven Botman
4. CB: Sven Botman
Although Botman made an obvious mistake at Nottingham Forest last month, the game against Villa was arguably his hardest in Newcastle shirt.