Newcastle United have a 100% record in the early days of pre-season with two wins in two but face their toughest test yet on Sunday as they take on fellow Premier League side Aston Villa.
So far Newcastle have seen off the challenges of Gateshead and Rangers, 2-3 and 1-2 respectively, but now they face Unai Emery‘s vastly improved Aston Villa side in their first game of the Premier League Summer Series in the USA.
Given that Joelinton arrived in the States a couple of days later than the rest of the squad it’s doubtful he will start, but he may still feature off the bench in the second half.
Nick Pope will still be rested despite returning to training this week
There’s likely to be plenty of changes throughout the game taking into account the current heatwave hitting America, also there are always plenty of changes in pre-season friendlies. However, I back Eddie Howe to start strong with an almost fully first-team eleven.
A notable absence will be Nick Pope who, despite starting to train fully again will not feature in order to ensure he’s fully recovered before being put in a match situation. Loris Karius is the likely starter with Karl Darlow‘s future up in the air right now.
The back four will be a familiar one with Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar and Sven Botman making up three quarters of it and I expect Matt Targett to dropped in from the start against his old club.
The midfield is where Howe could make the biggest call and treat fans to the first glimpse of Bruno Guimaraes alongside new signing Sandro Tonali. The two both featured against Rangers last week but played in different halves so never actually shared the pitch. Sean Longstaff will be the third midfielder given Joelinton’s situation and the fact that Joe Willock is still not match fit.
Newcastle will have bags of pace up front against Villa
Pace will be the order of the day in the front three with Anthony Gordon and Miguel Almiron supporting record signing, Alexander Isak up front.
I expect Howe will mix it up as the game goes on and the likes of Callum Wilson and Dan Burn will get minutes under their belt, as well as some of the youngsters, particularly Lewis Miley who Eddie Howe seems to be keeping a close eye on.
Predicted XI: Karius; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett; Guimaraes, Tonali, Longstaff; Gordon, Almiron, Isak.
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