Newcastle United are finally back in Premier League action as they prepare to face Leicester City on Boxing Day.
It has been six weeks since the Magpies beat Chelsea in their final league game before the World Cup. Now the tournament in Qatar is over, and Eddie Howe’s side can restart their bid to qualify for Europe.
Newcastle sit in third after 15 games, and will be keen to pick up where they left off. They showed signs of doing just that during the week, as they beat Bournemouth 1-0 in the Carabao Cup.
The trip to Leicester will be a tougher test, and this is our predicted Newcastle lineup to face the Foxes
Newcastle defence bid to win another clean sheet
Howe went all out against Bournemouth, putting out his strongest team in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. That included Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier and Fabian Schar, who had been in Qatar for the World Cup.
They were joined by Dan Burn and Sven Botman, who Howe singled out for praise after the game.
Newcastle kept their ninth clean sheet of the season on Tuesday night, and will hope to make it 10 at the King Power Stadium.
To do that, Howe will start with the back five that has served him so well this season.
Bruno in the middle
Bruno Guimaraes also made his comeback on Tuesday night, and impressed against the Cherries. He was his usual self in the middle of the park, shifting Newcastle from left to right and right to left as he looked to breakdown a stubborn Bournemouth defence.
The Brazilian will face Leicester for the second time in his Toon career on Boxing Day. The first meeting was one to remember, as Bruno scored a dramatic last-second winner in front of the Gallowgate.
Similar heroics would be a very welcome belated Christmas gift for the travelling Newcastle supporters, who should see Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff join Bruno in midfield.
Saint-Maximin on the bench vs Leicester
Howe decided to start Joelinton on the left of attack against Bournemouth, and we expect him to do the same against Leicester.
That means Allan Saint-Maximin will be on the bench, as his wait for a first Premier League start since August goes on.
He will hope to provide a burst of creativity as a substitute. He is a great option for Howe, and expect to see the ‘phenomenal‘ 25-year-old in the second half if Newcastle need an extra spark in attack.
But it should be Joelinton in the starting lineup, and he will be joined by Newcastle’s biggest goal threats: Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron.
Predicted XI to face Leicester: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Bruno, Willock; Almiron, Wilson, Joelinton.
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