Eddie Howe will likely make some changes to his Newcastle United starting XI against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
The Magpies are facing Chelsea again, but this time it is a cup game at St James’ Park. Eddie Howe has hinted he will make some changes, despite admitting that he will not be able to make as many as he would like.
Anthony Gordon could play against Chelsea, with the 23-year-old seemingly avoiding a serious injury. He missed Sunday’s Premier League game with a groin problem, but has an outside chance of featuring in the Carabao Cup contest.
Howe has some interesting decisions to make, and this is Geordie Boot Boys’ predicted Newcastle United starting XI to face Chelsea.
Lloyd Kelly gets a start against Chelsea
We are predicting one change to the Newcastle United defence.
The Magpies’ lack of pace at centre-back was exposed at Stamford Bridge, and Lloyd Kelly could be the solution to that problem.
He has not started since the last round of the Carabao Cup, but could get the not ahead of Dan Burn against Chelsea on Wednesday night.
Kelly’s best position is centre-back, but he has mainly been used as a left-back by Eddie Howe. He has been wasted out there, and this could be a chance for him to force his way into the manager’s Premier League starting XI.
Changes to the Newcastle United midfield
Eddie Howe has admitted that his midfield could play better. The trio of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton is star-studded, but is not quite clicking.
Meanwhile, Howe has Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock and Lewis Miley in reserve.
We predict that Longstaff and Willock will start against Chelsea, while Miley might have to wait make his return from the bench. However, this game is the perfect chance to give Miley his first minutes since March.
Longstaff would come in for Tonali, while Willock would take Joelinton’s place as the left-sided central midfielder.
Harvey Barnes dropped to accommodate 2022/23 tactic
However, that does not mean that Joelinton will not start. Instead, we are tipping Howe to deploy the Brazilian on the left of attack. That will allow him to dovetail with Willock, which is a tactic that Newcastle United relied on a lot during their Champions League qualifying season.
That would mean Harvey Barnes drops to the bench. That is harsh, but the £39million man struggled against Chelsea on Sunday, while this tried and tested tactic could give Newcastle a bit more fluidity against strong opposition.
Joelinton will be joined by Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy in attack, with the latter replacing Miguel Almiron.
While Gordon has avoided a serious injury, it feels unlikely that he will start in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Predicted XI vs Chelsea: Pope; Livramento, Schar, Kelly, Hall; Longstaff, Bruno, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Joelinton.
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