One must-win game down, one more to go?
A big week for Newcastle United began emphatically, with Wednesday’s 4-0 win against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise kickstarting their Champions League campaign.
Now, with only one win from their opening six Premier League matches, getting a result against Nottingham Forest this afternoon is crucial.
After naming seven changes in back-to-back matches against Bradford City and Arsenal, Eddie Howe only named two changes for the trip to Brussels in midweek.
One of those changes was Anthony Elanga, and he too will be hoping to retain his place against the club he joined from for £55million in the summer.
Will Howe again make minimal changes, or could he stick with the same XI that recorded the Magpies’ biggest-ever Champions League win? Here’s how we expected United to line-up:
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Getty Images
2. GK: Nick Pope
Pope has five clean sheets in his nine appearances so far this season. | Getty Images
3. RB: Kieran Trippier
A knee injury for Tino Livramento saw Trippier return to the side against Union Saint-Gilloise in midweek. | Getty Images
4. CB: Malick Thiaw
Thiaw has quickly become a fans’ favourite on Tyneside. Was serenaded with his new chant against Union Saint-Gilloise on Wednesday. | Getty Images