Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has a number of selection dilemmas heading into Sunday’s Premier League clash against Arsenal.
Howe has made seven changes to his starting XI for the last two games, first drawing at AFC Bournemouth last Sunday before beating Bradford City 4-1 in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
United face Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League on Wednesday, but the visit of the Gunners is likely to see Howe revert to a full-strength line-up.
Previewing the game, Howe said: “I think it's always been competitive against Arsenal in the games that I've been here and there has been an edge to those games because I think both teams are desperate to win.
“Yeah, we sort of encourage that.I think the more competitive we are, the better we play. So certainly we need to bring that side of our game.”
Here’s how Newcastle are predicted to line-up.
1. GK: Nick Pope (in for Aaron Ramsdale)
Pope has kept four clean sheets in his five Premier League matches so far this campaign. | Getty Images
2. RWB: Kieran Trippier (in for Emil Krafth)
Set to return to the starting XI after being rested for the last two games. | Getty Images
3. CB: Malick Thiaw
Thiaw has started back-to-back games for Newcastle and impressed hugely in both. | Getty Images
4. CB: Sven Botman
Same with Botman. The Dutchman possesses similar qualities to Thiaw, allowing NUFC to play out from the back. | Getty Images