Newcastle travel to Carrow road for a tricky looking opening away game against newly promoted Norwich City, with both sides looking for their first points of the season.
Despite the raucous atmosphere that surely awaits, Newcastle will have expectations of giving Steve Bruce his first win as manager.
With a tough home game against Watford sandwiched between nightmare trips to Tottenham and Liverpool, three points at Norwich would be invaluable.
After criticism of his tactics and bench selection in the opening defeat against Arsenal, Steve Bruce will be determined to get things right this weekend.
Right-back will pose biggest selection headache
Javier Manquillo was poor last week, having looked promising during pre-season friendlies, and with new signing Emil Krafth waiting in the wings, Bruce has a decision to make at right-back.
Although he may be tempted to throw the Swedish international in, it would be a surprise if he did not keep faith with Manquillo.
But it could be the last chance for the Spaniard, and if he fails to show any form today, he may face another spell out of the side.
Midfielder is certain starter, if fit
Jonjo Shelvey came off, having picked up a knock, against Arsenal last week, and his fitness could be key to getting a result at Carrow Road.
Without Shelvey, Newcastle lost all their momentum last week, and with his substitution playing a role in the only goal of the game, it was the dip in performance afterwards that will concern Bruce more.
But the midfielder trained this week, and the signs are good that he will be available to play.
New signing may have to bide his time
Exciting new signing Allan Saint-Maximin had quite an impact from the bench last week, and looked like he will be a handful for defenders this season.
But he may have to be patient for his opportunity, and will likely find himself on the bench again today, providing he is passed fit.
His time will come, however, and when it does, he will be someone that gets fans off their seats with his trickery and pace.
Bruce is likely to play a slightly more compact formation away from home, meaning it will almost certainly be Ritchie who gets the nod ahead of the enigmatic Frenchman.
So we predict this unchanged starting XI for the game, with a 3-5-1-1 formation again being employed: Dubravka; Lascelles, Schar, Dummett; Manquillo, Longstaff, Shelvey, Hayden, Ritchie; Almiron; Joelinton.
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