Newcastle United begin the final month of the 2023-24 Premier League season with an away trip to Burnley. And with four games remaining, Eddie Howe’s side still have everything to play for as they look to secure European qualification.
The Magpies sit 7th in the top-flight table and know a win at Turf Moor will see them move up to 6th ahead of Chelsea hosting West Ham United on Sunday and Manchester United’s visit to Crystal Palace on Monday night.
But in Burnley, they face a team who are fighting to preserve their Premier League status. Vincent Kompany’s men have pulled themselves to within two points of safety having lost just one of their last eight matches.
Newcastle will be without Fabian Schar for the first time in the league this campaign, and there are doubts over whether he’ll play again in 23-24 after sustaining a hamstring injury in last weekend’s 5-1 win over Sheffield United.
United, however, could welcome back Miguel Almiron, Nick Pope and Joelinton into the squad after the trio made a return to first-team training this week.
“We’ve had Miggy and Joelinton return to training this week, first steps back into full team training,” said Howe on Friday. “We’ve also seen that with Nick Pope as well so it’s been a good positive week to have three experienced quality players back. It’s certainly given us a big lift.
“We’ll see after today [if they’ll be involved vs Burnley]. I’ve got to make the right decisions for them individually and the team. They’ve been out different time lengths but they’ve had significant injuries so we need to make sure we get this one right.”
Here’s how Newcastle United are predicted to line-up against the Clarets:
5. LB: Lewis Hall
Hall has started three of United’s last five games - his best run in the starting XI since joining from Chelsea last summer. | Getty Images
6. CM: Bruno Guimaraes
Will hope to get on the scoresheet again at Turf Moor. Newcastle have won every game the Brazilian has scored in since joining two-and-a-half-years ago. | Getty Images
7. CM: Sean Longstaff
Longstaff has been an ever-present in the side since December. While many of his teammates haven’t played because of injury, the midfielder has played through the pain barrier. | Getty Images
8. RW: Jacob Murphy
Murphy claimed an assist against Sheffield United and him starting allows Howe to use Harvey Barnes as an impact sub, a role he has thrived in. | Getty Images