‘Reliable’ player to start: Newcastle predicted XI for West Ham clash

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United will be aiming to reach the International break on a high by continuing their excellent form this weekend.

Eddie Howe’s side have won their last four games in a row, conceding just once and scoring 15 times. This becomes even more impressive when you consider that two of the matches were against Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

Another tough test awaits as Newcastle will travel to London to face West Ham, who are also in good form. Newcastle have a number of injury issues to contend with, and the International break will be a welcome one for Howe, who will hope that he can use the time to welcome his absent players back.

Newcastle’s absentees

Eddie Howe has confirmed that Sven Botman and Harvey Barnes are definitely unavailable, whilst Anthony Gordon is suspended, and Joelinton and Callum Wilson are doubts.

With so many starters absent, Howe has to think of a solution, particularly on the left wing. Both Englishman being out at the same time is perhaps not something anyone expected to happen so quickly, and if Joelinton is also out, a different option will be needed.

Howe has two real options for the left wing, with either Jacob Murphy or Elliot Anderson coming in, and it seems likely that Anderson will come in for a start.

Predicted XI

Even if Wilson and Joelinton are passed fit to play, Howe may not want to risk further injury with them, and they may therefore start on the bench.

With the International break coming up, Howe may not feel he has to rotate much at all from the win over PSG, and may stick with the same side apart from Gordon.

Tino Livramento will be pushing for a start, with Kieran Trippier included in the England squad, but it seems unlikely that the 32-year-old will be benched for what is a difficult fixture.

Anderson looks the most likely to replace Gordon, with Howe recently describing the 20-year-old as “reliable,” and he could be the only change from the lineup in midweek.

Newcastle predicted XI to face West Ham: Nick Pope; Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn; Sandro Tonali, Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes; Miguel Almiron, Alexander Isak, Elliot Anderson.