Howe made five changes to his starting XI for the Carabao Cup meeting with Chelsea in midweek and all of them paid off as the Magpies won 2-0 to set up a quarter-final clash at home to Brentford.
Reflecting on Emil Krafth, Lloyd Kelly, Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock and Anthony Gordon coming to the starting XI, Howe said: “They certainly give you the ability to change the team. Many times I’ve said I don’t want the team to pick itself but I also don’t want to be changing too many players from game-to-game as I don’t think that's healthy either.
“I believe in a settled team but of course with midweek fixtures the intensity I have the ability to rotate. Let’s see. I’ll pick the strongest team that I can that has the best chance to win.”
Starting in defence, Howe will need to decide between Krafth or Tino Livramento and Kelly or Dan Burn. In midfielder, Bruno Guimaraes is expected to be recalled, but what will that mean for Sandro Tonali? The Italian played in the No.6 role against Chelsea and earned rave reviews from supporters.
To complete the midfield, Howe has Longstaff, Willock and Joelinton to pick from. Joelinton started on the left hand side of attack last time out and there may be a temptation to keep him there. That, however, would mean keeping Anthony Gordon on right.
Anyway, that’s enough rambling. Here’s the Newcastle United starting XI we’re predicting Howe to name:
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1. GettyImages-2181975684 (1)
Getty Images
2. GK: Nick Pope
Claimed his third clean sheet of the season in the Carabao Cup win over Chelsea. | Getty Images
3. RB: Tino Livramento (in for Emil Krafth)
Emil Krafth put down a marker against Chelsea in midweek but Livramento is expected to come back in the starting line-up. | Getty Images
4. CB: Fabian Schar
Schar, who captained Newcastle in midweek, has started every game he’s been available for this campaign. | Getty Images