Newcastle United are undefeated in their last 14 matches at St James’ Park against Aston Villa in all competitions. Not since April 2, 2005 have Villa left Tyneside with three points, courtesy of a 3-0 victory thanks to Juan Pablo Angel and a pair of Gareth Barry penalties. Read on to see what Last Word on Football predicts will be the Newcastle United lineup on Saturday as Eddie Howe looks to maintain his side’s fantastic form.
Newcastle United Lineup Prediction vs Aston Villa
How the Magpies Have Lined Up Recently
Eddie Howe has continued to persist with a 4-3-3 formation all season, and his selection has been justified so far. The Magpies have lost just one game all campaign – a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield as a result of a heartbreaking 98th-minute winner from Fabio Carvalho.
The choice of the starting eleven has also remained fairly consistent, with just one change made between last Wednesday’s match against Everton and the Magpies’ triumphant victory in the capital against Tottenham the following weekend. Joe Willock replaced Jacob Murphy, as Joelinton moved onto the left and, alongside Miguel Almiron, supported Callum Wilson in attack.
Injury News
Nick Pope is the first-choice goalkeeper at St James’ Park and has conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League so far this season, but it is worth noting that number two between the sticks Karl Darlow picked up an ankle injury in training in early September.
Read More: How Miguel Almiron Is Stepping Up to Become Newcastle United’s Main Man
Emil Krafth suffered a cruciate ligament rupture against Liverpool, and the Swedish defender is expected to return in February. Allan Saint-Maximin has also been ruled out with a muscle injury, while club record signing Alexander Isak recently picked up a hamstring injury, and isn’t due back until December.
Newcastle United Recent Form
The Magpies are undefeated in their last seven league games, winning four. At home, they’ve won three and drawn three of the six Premier League games they’ve played.
When Newcastle have had to share the points this season, it has been under disappointing circumstances. Manchester City came back from 3-1 down to claim a 3-3 draw, while there was also a goalless game against Crystal Palace followed by a 1-1 draw with newly-promoted Bournemouth.
The wonderful weekend win away to Tottenham was deserved, though. That came after a sole goal victory over Everton and claiming a point at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
Read More: Premier League Predictions
The first two fixtures of October saw Fulham thumped 4-1 at Craven Cottage and Brentford battered 5-1 on Tyneside. Howe would, no doubt, love to round off the month with another comprehensive victory, taking advantage of Aston Villa before Unai Emery takes charge in November.
Newcastle United Lineup Prediction
It wouldn’t be surprising to see Eddie Howe name an unchanged starting eleven. Nick Pope will get the nod between the sticks. And his international colleague Kieran Trippier is arguably United’s player of the season so far from right-back.
Fabian Schär and Sven Botman have been solid at centre-back, and Dan Burn is expected to complete the back four on the left-hand side. Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff should accompany Bruno Guimaräes in the middle of the park, and with Allan Saint-Maximin ruled out, Joelinton is the most likely candidate to start on the left-hand side once more.
"With the ball he has certain demands placed upon him as well and his all-round game is very good. His goal was an excellent one and it's probably underestimated how good that finish was. I was very pleased with him." pic.twitter.com/cmBlaaPpKf
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 28, 2022
Both goalscorers against Spurs, Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson, should keep their places in Toon’s front three as they look to go eight unbeaten.
