Newcastle United’s incredible Champions League journey continues on Wednesday night, as the group leaders welcome Borussia Dortmund to St James’ Park.
The Magpies will be looking for another famous night after their 4-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain, as they take on a side that is yet to win in the Champions League this season.
It is first vs fourth, but this will be another very difficult game for Eddie Howe’s side. Borussia Dortmund are unbeaten in the Bundesliga so far, and should not be as fazed by the St James’ Park atmosphere as PSG were.
It should be another wonderful night on Tyneside, and this is the Newcastle team we expect Eddie Howe to go with against Borussia Dortmund
No Sven Botman for Newcastle
After the 4-0 win over Crystal Palace, Eddie Howe confirmed that Sven Botman is still out of action with injury.
That means there will be no changes to the back four, with Jamaal Lascelles once again leading the team out in the Champions League. He was outstanding against PSG, and looks to be the latest player who has been transformed by Howe.
Lascelles will be joined by the usual suspects in defence, playing alongside Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar and Dan Burn – two of which scored in the win over PSG.
First Champions League appearance of the season for Joelinton
The game against Dortmund should result in Joelinton making his first Champions League appearance of the season. It will be great to see him on such a grand stage, having played so well to help Newcastle qualify last season.
Joelinton should be in midfield alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff, who have both played brilliantly in the competition so far.
Sandro Tonali has started Newcastle’s previous two Champions League games so far, but that feels unlikely ahead of Wednesday. Hopefully he is on the bench, amid his ongoing personal situation.
Alexander Isak starts against former club Borussia Dortmund
If Howe is to make changes to his starting XI, they will come in attack.
Despite his incredible performance against Crystal Palace, we anticipate that Jacob Murphy will drop to the bench in favour of Miguel Almiron.
Elsewhere, Alexander Isak should replace Callum Wilson up front. The £20million man scored again on Saturday, but Isak seems much more suited to Champions League football, where he will face his former club.
Predicted XI to face Dortmund: Pope; Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Burn; Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
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