Eddie Howe has some big decisions to make ahead of Newcastle United’s trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The international break is now over, and plenty of Newcastle United players have benefitted from representing their countries.
Sandro Tonali gave Newcastle a major boost, with the 24-year-old playing two full 90 minutes for Italy. Elsewhere, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon excelled for Sweden and England respectively.
But now domestic football returns, as the Magpies travel to the West Midlands. Chris Kavanagh is the referee for Wolves vs Newcastle, as Eddie Howe’s side aim to win at Molineux in the Premier League for the first time since 2011.
It will be a tough game, and this is Geordie Boot Boys‘ predicted Newcastle United XI to face Wolves on Sunday.
Two changes in the Newcastle defence against Wolves
Newcastle United’s squad will be slightly stronger against Wolves, with Fabian Schar back from suspension.
He has missed the Magpies’ previous three games, after being sent off during the opening day win over Southampton.
Emil Krafth has performed well in Schar’s absence, but it feels extremely like that the Swiss centre-back will walk straight back into the Toon starting XI and rekindle his partnership with Dan Burn. Schar should replace the Swede, with Krafth not spotted in Newcastle training on Wednesday.
We are also predicting a change at right-back, with Kieran Trippier starting ahead of Tino Livramento.
The 33-year-old has been training with Newcastle during the international break, having retired from England duty. In contrast, Livramento has been with the Three Lions after the £32million man received his first ever senior callup.
Given the fact he has been with the team and preparing for the Wolves game, it feels like Trippier could get the nod and start his first Premier League game of the season.
Eddie Howe makes Sandro Tonali decision after Italy displays
And that could also be the thinking when it comes to Sandro Tonali.
While he made a real statement by playing two full 90 minutes for Italy, it feels likely that he will start on the bench at Molineux.
Instead, it will be Sean Longstaff and Joelinton joining Bruno Guimaraes in midfield, as they have been on Tyneside and working with the group while Tonali has been away with Italy.
Longstaff and Joelinton will have been part of the tactical preparations for the game against Wolves, and should start on Sunday. However, the pressure is on them to perform well now that Tonali is back and has proved his fitness.
No change in attack for Newcastle
Newcastle will likely start with the same front three that took on Tottenham Hotspur before the international break.
That includes an in form Anthony Gordon, who was very impressive for England during Nations League wins over Republic of Ireland and Finland.
Isak will start through the middle, having scored four goals in his previous three games for club and country.
Predicted XI vs Wolves: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Kelly; Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton; Gordon, Isak, Barnes.
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