Newcastle United’s predicted starting XI versus Man City - three changes and big Allan Saint-Maximin call
Newcastle United travel to Premier League champions Manchester City in their penultimate away fixture of the campaign.
In the early season meeting at St James’ Park, Pep Guardiola’s side emerged as 4-0 winners. But a lot has changed since then.
Indeed, Eddie Howe’s men are no longer at risk of relegation and are a team transformed with 10 wins in 2022 so far.
Admittedly, getting a result at the Etihad Stadium would still be a major shock against a wounded City side.
Howe is hoping the Magpies aren’t on the receiving end of a strong City response following their devastating Champions League semi-final defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday.
“It can work both ways,” Howe said when asked about Man City’s defeat.
“You can be emotionally affected for the positive or negative. From our perspective, we will 100 per cent prepare for the best Manchester City and we have to be the best Newcastle we can be.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt their head will be in the game. They know now they’re fighting and their focus changes to the Premier League.
“They’ve been very consistent in their results and nothing has wavered their focus. I don’t expect this to. The only thing we can control is turning up and being the best us.”
Who will Howe name in his Newcastle United starting XI to take on Guardiola’s men? Here’s NewcastleWorld’s prediction:
1. GK: Martin Dubravka
The Slovakian has started the last 23 consecutive games and pulled off a number of saves to keep the score at 1-0 against Liverpool last time out.
2. RB: Emil Krafth
Krafth is expected to start his 10th game out of the last 12 with Kieran Trippier 50/50 following his recovery from a broken metatarsal.
3. CB: Jamaal Lascelles (in for Fabian Schar)
Fabian Schar has not trained for Newcastle this week due to a foot injury, which means captain Lascelles is in line for just his third start since February. Photo: Alex Livesey
4. CB: Dan Burn
The Blyth-born defender has been pretty much ever present following his January switch from Brighton - starting 13 games in succession.