Newcastle United will battle AC Milan at St James’ Park on Wednesday evening, hoping to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Neck-and-neck in the Group F standings with five points to their name, the Toon Army currently have the edge over AC Milan on goal difference, but both sides still need results elsewhere to go their way if they are to continue their premium European adventure. The stoppage-time controversial intervention of VAR in their last European game in Paris cruelly denied Eddie Howe’s side three points against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Magpies have suffered back-to-back demoralising defeats to Everton and Tottenham Hotspur respectively in the Premier League, so the timing isn’t great for them to face AC Milan, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Eddie Howe’s team in Italy.
Newcastle United Team News
Newcastle United received a double injury boost in their 4-1 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday, as both Callum Wilson and Sean Longstaff were able to make appearances off the bench following their respective layoffs.
There is still a glut of injuries to deal with for Eddie Howe, with Joe Willock (calf), Matt Targett (thigh), Javier Manquillo, Nick Pope (shoulder), Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Dan Burn (back), Elliot Anderson (back), Harvey Barnes (foot) and Sven Botman (knee) all on the sidelines, while ex-AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali remains suspended.
Predicted Newcastle lineup vs AC Milan (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Martin Dubravka has conceded seven goals in the last two outings since deputising for the injured Nick Pope. He will need to be at his best to keep a clean sheet against an efficient Milan side.
Defence
Howe is expected to stick to a 4-3-3 formation, with Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar and Tino Livramento starting in front of Dubravka in the Newcastle lineup.
Trippier and Livramento will start as the full-backs again, and they will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Meanwhile, Lascelles will start in central defence along with Schar in the Newcastle lineup.
Midfield
The midfield unit could see only one change from the 4-1 defeat to Tottenham, with Sean Longstaff coming in for Lewis Miley, who has taken his chances with both hands in recent weeks in the absence of key players.
The trio of Longstaff, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes will bring creativity and control to the Magpies’ play in the middle of the park.
Attack
Callum Wilson’s return from an injury layoff is unlikely to threaten Alexander Isak’s spot at the tip of Newcastle’s attack. He is likely to start on the bench again, with Isak shouldering the goalscoring responsibility. The Swede will be flanked by Miguel Almiron and Anthony Gordon in the Newcastle lineup.
With their pace, movement and directness, Almiron and Gordon will look to make life difficult for the Milan defenders on Wednesday evening.
