Injury blow rules £25m star out: Newcastle United’s predicted starting XI v Leicester City

Newcastle United will secure Champions League qualification if they avoid defeat against relegation-threatened Leicester City tonight (kick-off 8pm).

Thursday night’s 4-1 victory against Brighton and Hove Albion, coupled with Liverpool’s draw at home to Aston Villa, has put the Magpies on the cusp of a Premier League top four finish.

Eddie Howe’s men require just one point from remaining games against Leicester and Chelsea, though it would be extremely fitting if they can finish the job in front of their home support this evening.

Not since the days of Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer - 20 years ago - have the Magpies competed among Europe’s elite.

Howe will be forced into at least one change to his starting XI. Joe Willock pulled his hamstring versus Brighton and was replaced by Elliot Anderson on the hour-mark.

And NewcastleWorld is predicting Anderson to retain his place in what would be only his second-ever Premier League start.

“When you look back to the start of the season, I’d say he himself would consider himself a first-team player now as in a fully-integrated member of the first-team squad,” Howe said on Friday. “He’s trained consistently throughout the season.

“It’s very difficult for those lads that haven’t played regularly when the team wins consistently and has performed as well as it has to wait for their chance.

“Now, he’s a young player that has been desperate to play, he’s controlled his emotions really well, I do believe he’s added elements to his game and improved certain parts of his game that needed to improve. I’d say he’s ready.

“He’s versatile – he proved that against Brighton, he came on on the right side of midfield. He’s predominantly been used by me as a left-side player and he’s very much capable, so we believe in him.”

Here’s Newcastle United’s predicted starting XI in full.

GK: Nick Pope

RB: Kieran Trippier

CB: Fabian Schar

CB: Sven Botman

LB: Dan Burn

CM: Bruno Guimaraes

CM: Joelinton

CM: Elliot Anderson (in for Joe Willock)

RW: Miguel Almiron

LW: Alexander Isak

ST: Callum Wilson

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