Newcastle United host Manchester City at St James’ Park on January 13. The Premier League fixture gives Eddie Howe’s side the opportunity to overtake Manchester United, who have a tricky fixture against Tottenham Hotspur the following day. This is our Newcastle predicted lineup.
Newcastle United Predicted Lineup vs Manchester City
🎙️ Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media ahead of #NEWMCI this weekend.
"A good week, a good training week. We have enjoyed being back on the grass, a first full week in a long time. Hopefully the players enjoyed it too, we are ready to go." pic.twitter.com/x4hAUbZpWC
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 12, 2024
How Newcastle Have Lined-up Recently
Martin Dubravka starts in goal, with Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, and Dan Burn completing the backline (listed from left to right).
Bruno Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff have cemented their places in the starting lineup, whilst Lewis Miley (born in 2006) and Joelinton have competed for the third midfield spot in recent weeks.
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With Callum Wilson at varying levels of fitness, Alexander Isak has started the last three matches at centre-forward. The in-form Anthony Gordon starts on the left wing, and Miguel Almiron on the right.
Newcastle’s Recent Form and Tactics
Newcastle’s recent form has been largely underwhelming, partially due to an injury list containing nine players.
The Magpies have lost their last three Premier League games, conceding eight and only scoring three.
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They endured a 1-0 loss away at Luton Town before losing 3-1 at home to Nottingham Forest and were dominated 4-2 away at Liverpool.
In particular, the last game was a thrashing: the Reds recorded a record-high 7.11 XG whilst Newcastle had just five shots.
However, the Toon are coming off the back of a morale-boosting 3-0 derby day victory over Sunderland in the FA Cup.
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Tactically, Howe tweaked his system against Liverpool, playing Gordon on the right wing and Joelinton on the left.
This provided little avail, and in the 54th minute, Gordon was moved back to the left, Joelinton into midfield, and Almiron subbed onto the right wing.
The English winger performed an excellent dribble in the same minute before setting Isak up for a calm finish. It is clear that Howe’s preferred lineup is not to be tampered with when possible; he was known by fans at Bournemouth to never change a winning team.
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Newcastle Injuries to Consider
Howe revealed the latest injury news in a press conference.
Joelinton picked up a thigh injury during the FA Cup win, and according to Howe: “will see him miss a minimum of six weeks.” The “derby hero” will be a big miss in midfield.
Following the Liverpool game, Howe confirmed that Wilson is out for this fixture with a calf injury, and Trippier has a problem but should be back “pretty quickly.”
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Elliot Anderson and Joe Willock have been out since October and November respectively, and are “not expected back anytime soon.”
Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, Javier Manquillo, Matt Targett, and Nick Pope have all been out for the long term, and Sandro Tonali is suspended for the season.
Newcastle Predicted Lineup
GK: Martin Dubravka
LB: Dan Burn
CB: Sven Botman
CB: Fabian Schar
RB: Kieran Trippier
CM: Lewis Miley
CM: Bruno Guimaraes
CM: Sean Longstaff
LW: Anthony Gordon
ST: Alexander Isak
RW: Miguel Almiron