After the 3-1 defeat at Brighton and an unwanted international break, Newcastle return to Premier League action this weekend with the visit of Brentford to St James’ Park.
Keeping in mind recent injuries, form, next week’s trip to AC Milan and the players Eddie Howe has been able to work with over the break, I think we’ll see four changes on Saturday, seeing Callum Wilson, Harvey Barnes, Sean Longstaff and Sven Botman all come in.
The first player I’m backing to start – for the first time this season, believe it or not – is Callum Wilson. He was the only player to come away from the Amex with any credit, has scored twice in 96 minutes so far and was our top marksman last term with 18 goals. He had one late cameo for England over the break, where as Isak started twice for Sweden, playing 145 minutes over the space of four days.
Howe may find a way to start both, but I think Isak could be saved for next week’s Champions League clash with AC Milan.
Harvey Barnes is another who’s yet to start this season, but with a goal and an assist on his debut and plenty of time to work with Howe while others were away on international duty, I think he’ll come in. Anthony Gordon is in the same boat, so I see him moving to the right, replacing Miguel Almiron.
Miggy was playing for Paraguay in the early hours of Wednesday morning, played 174 minutes across their two World Cup qualifiers and was suffering with some bad cramp at the end of their 0-0 draw with Peru. Almiron’s fitness levels often allow him to go again after little recovery time, but with the hectic schedule to come (7 games in 23 days), Gordon’s ability to play down the right and his late return from South America after starting twice and suffering with cramp, I think Howe will mix it up.
Next up, I think Sean Longstaff will return to our engine room. Sandro Tonali had been arguably our top performing midfielder so far this season, but he withdrew from Italy’s 2-1 win…
Source link : https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2023/09/14/4-changes-im-expecting-to-see-on-saturday-as-newcastle-face-brentford-at-st-james-park/
Author : Olly Hawkins
Publish date : 2023-09-14 16:25:00
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