Predicted Newcastle XI to face Wolves: Howe makes two changes, £15m man gets rare start

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After Champions League agony, Newcastle United must quickly shift their focus back to the Premier League and the challenge of Wolves.

The Magpies head to Molineux on Saturday evening, as Eddie Howe looks to continue Newcastle’s strong league form. His side are unbeaten in five Premier League games and are sixth in the table right now.

However, the Newcastle manager has a lot of injuries to deal with as he takes his side to the West Midlands, with Alexander Isak, Jacob Murphy and Elliot Anderson set to be missing from the squad that beat Crystal Palace at the weekend.

It could lead to some changes, and this is the Newcastle team we predict will start vs Wolves

Matt Targett gets rare start

While Howe will be forced into a change on Saturday evening, there could also be a tactical tweak.

With games coming thick and fast, Howe could be tempted to rotate, which could give Matt Targett an opportunity.

The £15million signing played really well when he came on against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night, and that will hopefully earn him a start in place of Dan Burn at Molineux.

But with Sven Botman still injured, the rest of Newcastle’s defence will likely remain unchanged.

No changes in midfield for Newcastle

Newcastle will probably have to go with the same midfield that start against Dortmund. That saw Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton play together.

Howe does not really have any options to change that trio. Anderson is out injured, while Sandro Tonali is now banned until August 2024.

The only alternative is Joe Willock, but it is surely too early for him to be starting after only just returning from a five-month absence due to injury.

Callum Wilson replaces Isak vs Wolves

The one change Howe will be forced to make is up front.

Alexander Isak started in the Champions League, but had to be withdrawn after 15 minutes. The club record signing picked up a reoccurrence of a groin issue and had to be replaced by Callum Wilson.

With Isak injured, it will be the number nine who leads the line against Wolves, as he looks to add to his tally of five goals so far this season.

Predicted XI vs Wolves: Pope; Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Targett; Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton; Almiron, Wilson, Gordon.