Eddie Howe has suggested he will make changes to his starting lineup when Newcastle face Norwich.
After three home games in a row, the Magpies are on the road again to take on Dean Smith’s Canaries.
It’s Newcastle’s first away day since the 5-1 drubbing at Tottenham, and Howe will be hoping for a much better display.
His team have responded with three wins on the bounce, and will want to make it four at Carrow Road.
But with changes potentially on the horizon, who will Howe pick to start against Norwich?
First start since Chelsea for Jamaal Lascelles
With Howe planning to ‘freshen things up‘, it feels incredibly likely that captain Jamaal Lascelles will return to the starting XI.
He’s been on the bench ever since the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, where Howe shifted to a back five.
But we expect Lascelles to start in a back four against Norwich, taking Fabian Schar’s place as the right-sided centre-back.
The Swiss defender has been brilliant as of late, but Howe will likely want to keep a left-footed centre-back on the left of his centre-back pairing. That means Dan Burn should retain his place, while Schar has to settle for the bench.
Change of shape and an opportunity for Sean Longstaff
We also expect to see changes in the middle of the park. Joe Willock has came off the bench in the last two games, and provided an excellent assist for Bruno Guimaraes in the 2-1 win over Leicester.
The 22-year-old is likely to start at Carrow Road, but in a more advanced role. He played as an attacking midfielder against Southampton, getting closer to lone striker Chris Wood. We expect the same to happen this afternoon.
One other change in midfield could see Sean Longstaff start. Howe has spoken about wanting to give the local lad an opportunity, and the trip to Norwich feels like the perfect time.
Like Lascelles, his last start was also against Chelsea, where he played alongside Bruno. That should happen again, with Jonjo Shelvey and Joelinton dropping to the bench.
Predicted XI to face Norwich: Dubravka; Krafth, Lascelles, Burn, Targett; Bruno, Longstaff; Almiron, Willock, Saint-Maximin; Wood.
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