Struggling Newcastle United will host Manchester United at home on Sunday, a team who have not won away from home in 10 games, while the hosts themselves have registered just one win this league season so far.
Newcastle lost 5-0 at home to Leicester City last weekend, and manager Steve Bruce will be hoping that his players put on a better showing this time around.
The Magpies are 19th in the league and are one of the favourites to be relegated this season. Bruce may need to mix things up and make a few changes for the Manchester United game.
Let’s take a look at the predicted Newcastle United lineup for the game against Manchester United:
Predicted Newcastle United Lineup vs Manchester United
Goalkeeper
Martin Dubravka will start in goal for the Magpies despite conceding 8 goals in Newcastle’s last three games.
Defence
Bruce could go back to a five-man defence against Manchester United after trying out a four-man defence last weekend, which failed miserably.
Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schär will continue at the back, two of Newcastle’s best central defenders. Paul Dummett could possibly make way for Federico Fernández in the starting lineup.
Jetro Willems missed last weekend’s mauling at the hands of Leicester City. He will return at left wing-back, while DeAndre Yedlin – who came on last weekend – could get a start at right wing-back in place of Emil Krafth.
Midfield
Isaac Hayden will miss the game through suspension after being sent off in the Leicester City game. Jonjo Shelvey could return to the side in his place after being passed fit for the Manchester United game. He will most likely start with Sean Longstaff beside him. Miguel Almirón could perhaps move over to the left side of midfield in place of Christian Atsu in the Newcastle United lineup.
Almiron started the Leicester game on the right, and looked like the only Magpies player who could create something. Allan Saint-Maximin was an unused substitute last weekend, but he could return to the Newcastle side and play on the right.
Attack
Summer signing Joelinton has had a tough start to his Newcastle United career, scoring just once in seven Premier League games. But, he will have to start the game despite his poor form as Andy Carroll and Dwight Gayle have only just returned from a spell on the sidelines.
