The Premier League is back, as Newcastle United get set to start the 2024/25 season against Southampton.
The Magpies are at home on the opening day, as St James’ Park prepares to welcome back its heroes after a very busy pre-season.
So much has happened off the pitch at Newcastle United, mainly behind the scenes. Amanda Staveley left, while Paul Mitchell arrived as sporting director. We have had the return of Adidas, while the new St James’ Stack has been opened. There has also been speculation over the manager’s future, with Eddie Howe linked with the England job.
It will be nice to just focus on the football, and that is what will happen on Saturday at 3pm. Jamie Carragher has predicted Newcastle to beat Southampton, and that will be what every Toon fan is hoping for.
But it will be tough against newly promoted Southampton, and this is the Newcastle United starting XI that Geordie Boot Boys predicts Eddie Howe will go with.
Eddie Howe’s right-back dilemma vs Southampton
The biggest debate going into Newcastle’s season opener is who will start at right-back.
Kieran Trippier is rumoured to be leaving Newcastle this summer, but is still at St James’ Park as Eddie Howe decides who to pick against Southampton.
The 33-year-old is one of his most important players, and made his return in the Sela Cup win over Brest on Saturday.
However, we predict that Tino Livramento will start. He will be much sharper than Trippier, having played a key part in Newcastle’s pre-season preparations.
Elsewhere in defence, Fabian Schar will partner Dan Burn at centre-back, with the latter to wear the captain’s armband. And at left-back, it could be Lewis Hall who gets the nod after his loan move from Chelsea became permanent on July 1st.
Newcastle’s midfield picks itself despite Joe Willock return
Newcastle United have a very strong midfield this season, but it picks itself on Saturday.
Sandro Tonali is still suspended, and will miss the first two Premier League games of the season. However, Tonali could feature in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup clash with Nottingham Forest – if it takes place on August 28th rather than August 27th.
Joe Willock is back after injury, but feels unlikely to start as he continues to build up his match fitness following a lengthy layoff.
That means that Newcastle will have the tried and tested trio of Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton against Southampton.
Longstaff needs to start the season strongly though, as Tonali’s return is extremely close. That should put the local lad under pressure, but hopefully it is pressure that he thrives under.
Anthony Gordon starts in attack
Alexander Isak gets set for what should hopefully be another very good season leading the line for Newcastle United.
Emil Krafth thinks Isak will score at least 25 goals this season, and the 24-year-old will be keen to kick off the campaign with a goal. He did that last year, with Isak bagging a brace in the first game of the season as Newcastle beat Aston Villa 5-1.
Amid speculation over Miguel Almiron’s future, Jacob Murphy should start on the right. The 29-year-old has been arguably Newcastle’s best player in pre-season, scoring five goals.
On the left, it is a toss up between Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes. The latter has looked good in pre-season, but we expect Howe to opt for Gordon.
The £40million man is one of Newcastle’s best players, and a show of faith from the manager should help towards keeping Gordon at St James’ Park amid interest from Liverpool.
Predicted XI vs Southampton: Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
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