Newcastle United host Aston Villa at St James’ Park looking to bounce back from another heavy away defeat.
The Magpies lost 4-1 at Coventry City on Monday night, repeating their result at Leeds United in their previous Premier League away game, which they followed up with a 2-1 win over Hull City on Tyneside.
Now Matthias Jaissle’s side are under pressure to deliver a similar response against a Villa side fresh from thrashing Turkish giants Fenerbahce 6-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Jaissle has some big selection calls to make after welcoming back five players from injury for the trip to Coventry.
Nico Gonzalez started after missing the win over Hull through concussion protocols, while Amar Dedic, Joelinton, Will Osula and Dan Burn were named on the bench before being introduced in the second half.
The big question now is, which of those players could Jaissle recall to his starting XI against Villa – and who could make way as a result? Here’s how we’re predicting Newcastle to line up:
9. RW: Bazoumana Toure (in for Jacob Murphy)
Summer signing Toure did more in half an hour than Murphy did in an hour against Coventry. The Ivorian deserves to make his first Premier League start. | AFP via Getty Images
10. LW: Harvey Barnes
When Barnes isn’t scoring, he’s pretty ineffective. But he’s capable of scoring at any moment, and that’s why he stays in the team. | Getty Images
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11. AM: Joelinton (in for Yoane Wissa)
Here’s your captain for the evening. Is he a No.10? Probably not, but Jaissle is keen to find a way of getting his experience and physicality into the team. | AFP via Getty Images
12. ST: Matias Fernandez-Pardo
Did a lot of things right against Coventry but just lacked that final bit of quality. Jaissle is convinced a goal will change everything for the £51m signing. | Getty Images