Eddie Howe could again make changes to his Newcastle starting XI against Spurs tonight
There has been little time for Newcastle United to enjoy their 4-1 victory over Everton on Saturday night, with the Magpies straight back into action against Tottenham this evening.
United kick off a week of two big home fixtures against Spurs, before hosting Burnley at St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.
The changes Eddie Howe made to his starting line-up at the Hill Dickinson Stadium certainly paid off, with Newcastle dominating the game despite the exertions against Marseille the previous week.
However, the likes of Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon, Joe Willock and Jacob Murphy will be pressing for a recall tonight, with more big decisions for the United boss to make.
With that in mind, here are the starting XIs our team of NUFC writers would pick for tonight’s game with Spurs.
Lee Ryder
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe shook the team up a little at Everton and I’d say it is time to get used to that with fixtures now coming thick and fast.
In doing so, Howe ended up unlocking a few welcome decisions and will have food for thought for Spurs. With Aaron Ramsdale set to stay between the posts, that decision will take care of itself.
But where else can Howe tweak things? I’d expect him to stick with the same back four that beat Everton.
After that I think the decisions will be on the flanks and while Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga did OK on Saturday, this is an area that may be tweaked.
Despite Lewis Miley not doing a lot wrong on Merseyside, he could also make way for a freshened up Sandro Tonali coming back in.
My NUFC XI: Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Gordon, Murphy, Woltemade
Sean McCormick
Rotation is the watch word of the season and I expect Eddie Howe to do so again for the visit of Tottenham. However, I expect the back five to remain the same after an impressive performance against Everton.
Lewis Hall’s inclusion may be one to watch. He was replaced with cramp again on Saturday and Howe has been quite vocal about ensuring they look after his comeback from a hamstring injury carefully.
But he also said in Friday’s press conference there comes a point they have to push on and test whether he can handle two starts in a week and I suspect that will happen against Tottenham.
Lewis Miley was excellent in midfield on Saturday but it would be a surprise if Sandro Tonali does not return to the side. Joe Willock was excellent against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup win so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him return to the side.
Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy were rested on Saturday and given it was Anthony Elanga’s first league start for six weeks and Harvey Barnes has played a lot of football since the November international break, I would expect both wingers to come back into the side for this one. Nick Woltemade should keep his place up front.
My NUFC XI: Ramsdale; Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Willock; Murphy, Gordon; Woltemade
Stuart Jamieson
This is a tough one, as Howe will want to make some changes without disrupting the balance of the side which performed so well at Everton. I would leave the back four as it is, but Sandro Tonali has to come back into the side.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Bruno Guimaraes steps back to the bench. The Brazilian is so rarely rested, and for good reason, but like Tonali at the weekend, could perhaps benefit from the break, along with Joelinton. Lewis Miley and Joe Willock have impressed in recent weeks, and have earned another start.
Anthony Elanga did well at Everton, and while Jacob Murphy has done nothing wrong, I would perhaps stick with the former Forest man to help him with his consistency.
My NUFC XI: Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Miley, Willock, Elanga, Barnes, Woltemade
Ross Gregory
There’s some good options for Eddie Howe as he looks to make it three successive Premier League wins and it’s always easier to ‘rest’ players when the going is good.
I’d make a number of changes as games come thick and fast. Lewis Hall remains a slight concern but hopefully he can push through and ensure the same back four as used at Everton. It’s further up the pitch where the big dilemmas lie.
Lewis Miley should keep his shirt and I’d give Bruno Guimaraes a rest instead; likewise handing Joe Willock another start. In attack, however, it’s time for Harvey Barnes to take a breather with Anthony Gordon starting, while Elanga keeps his place after his best performance to date.
My NUFC XI: Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Miley, Willock, Elanga, Gordon, Woltemade