Newcastle United travel to the South Coast to face Bournemouth on November 11. Eddie Howe makes his return to the Vitality Stadium, where he spent 11 years as a player and a further 11 years as a manager. This is our Newcastle predicted lineup.
Newcastle Predicted Lineup vs Bournemouth In Eddie Howe’s Return
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How Newcastle Have Lined-up Recently
Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, and Fabian Schär have remained constants in the defence all season. Meanwhile, Jamaal Lascelles has been a recent starter (even taking the armband) with Sven Botman injured. In the past two matches, with Dan Burn injured, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento have contested for the available spot.
In the midfield is Bruno Guimarães, Sean Longstaff, and Joelinton – all of whom have been in excellent form this season. Since returning from injury Joe Willock has received some minutes, even scoring away at Manchester United.
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Back to business on the south coast on Saturday. 👊
🔜 #BOUNEW pic.twitter.com/wUwKbjIY0r
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 9, 2023
Newcastle Recent Form and Tactics
Newcastle’s form in the last five matches has been a rollercoaster to say the least. The first two matches began with a 1-0 loss at home to Dortmund, and a 2-2 draw away at Wolves (which included a controversial Newcastle penalty). Following this, Howe’s side won 3-0 at Old Trafford and 1-0 against Arsenal. It appeared that their bad form had turned around.
However, in midweek Newcastle travelled to Germany for their Champions League fixture. The Magpies lost 2-0 and looked a completely different side. With Wilson substituted at half-time, there was no focal point in attack and it was impossible to break down the opposition defence.
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It was quite apparent that the combination of injuries, constant midweek fixtures, and Howe’s hard-working zonal overloads, had taken its toll on the squad. Players like Lascelles have been starting twice a week, at a level they have never played at before. It is clear that the squad requires some reinforcement, and hopefully, the return of some injured players. The matchday squad in Germany included just 13 senior outfielders.
Newcastle now sit bottom of Group F, a point behind Milan and, crucially, two points behind Paris Saint-Germain. Losing to the French team in the following Champions League match would make qualification for the knockouts impossible.
Howe is in the tricky predicament where he is competing in two competitions which require the highest level of attention and resources. He cannot rest players, and this is therefore causing an increasingly dire lack of squad depth. Fortunately, an international break follows this weekend; hopefully his injured men will recover, and those fit will be able to rest.
Newcastle Injuries to Consider
Prior to Wednesday’s game, Howe confirmed that both Burn and Matt Targett are not available for the near future. Both left-backs are set to be out until the New Year, at least. This leaves the option of either Hall, or Trippier at left-back – the latter leading to Livramento at right-back.
To exacerbate this, Botman remains out with an injury he picked up in September. His expected return date is still “unknown”, and is away in the Netherlands receiving treatment.
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Most significantly, a key player for Newcastle, and main man in midfield, is banned. Guimarães accumulated his fifth yellow card in the Premier League, and will serve a one-match suspension. This could create major fatigue problems, with the only three available senior midfielders (Joelinton, Longstaff, and Willock) all playing 80+ minutes against Dortmund.
Another potential huge blow, is Wilson, who was substituted with a hamstring issue at halftime on Wednesday. Howe revealed that they will “see how he does this morning [November 8] before making a decision on the game”. With Isak set to “return after the international break”, Howe could be forced into playing Gordon (a natural winger) as a number nine.
Harvey Barnes, Elliot Anderson, and Sandro Tonali all remain unavailable as they have been for the past few weeks. However, Barnes has now returned to training.
Newcastle Predicted Lineup
GK: Nick Pope
LB: Kieran Trippier
CB: Fabian Schär
CB: Jamaal Lascelles
RB: Tino Livramento
CM: Lewis Hall
CM: Sean Longstaff
CM: Joe Willock
LW: Joelinton
ST: Anthony Gordon
RW: Miguel Almirón
With very little selection options, Gordon covers for Wilson up front. This leads to Joelinton covering for Gordon as the best available left-winger, and the versatile Hall covers for Joelinton in central-midfield.
