So now we know. It’s Newcastle United against Liverpool in a mouthwatering final of the Carabao Cup next month at Wembley. Over the two legs of their semi-final against Arsenal, Newcastle proved how good they can be against top-quality opposition. Eddie Howe will now turn to other members of his squad as he is likely to make several changes to his team as the Geordies take on Birmingham City in the Fourth round of the FA Cup. Here’s how they might line up at St Andrews.
Newcastle United Predicted Lineup vs Birmingham City
How Newcastle Have Lined up Recently
Beware the threat of Birmingham City. They are flying high at the top of League One and paid a whopping £15 million to sign striker Jay Stansfield from Fulham after a successful loan spell, a record outlay for a League One club. But Howe has to rest so many of his players and see if those on the bench in recent weeks can step up. He gave the impression he might have picked up a knock or two in the win over Arsenal in midweek, but goalkeeper Martin Dubravka survived the ninety minutes.
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For this cup tie, it would make sense to assess the fitness of previous first-choice Nick Pope who has recovered from injury and been on the bench over the last few weeks. Kieran Trippier excelled throughout the ninety minutes against Arsenal and his influence on the team will mean he’ll revert to first choice in the latter part of the season. Emil Krafth came on for Sven Botman in the latter stages of the game and will no doubt start again as Botman has picked up a knee injury. Lewis Hall continues to impress with his dynamic running on the left-hand side.
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Dan Burn has been strong and consistent for the majority of the season and will keep his place to partner Krafth for this game against high-flying Birmingham City. Joelinton continues to miss out through injury. Bruno Guimaraes, and Sandro Tonali, so impressive against Arsenal, will also be rested. The front three of Jacob Murphy, scorer in his last two games at St James, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon have been exceptional in recent months but all three are likely to be given a breather for this one.
The good news for the manager and Newcastle fans is that Callum Wilson is fit again and played the last few minutes against Arsenal. He is likely to play for at least an hour against Birmingham while William Osula can also take part.
Newcastle United Recent Form and Tactics
Howe’s usual 4-3-3 formation was tweaked for the second leg cup tie against the Gunners where full-backs Trippier and Hall played as well as three centre-backs in Burn, Schar and Botman. It was a smart move from Howe, but he’ll revert to his 4-3-3 style for this clash with League One opposition.
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Two home defeats from Bournemouth and Fulham had the Geordie faithful concerned about the Arsenal clash but everyone on Tyneside can now look forward to the possibility of winning their first trophy in seventy years in the final against Liverpool.
Newcastle United Injuries to Consider
Botman is unavailable for the game with Birmingham City due to a knee injury, although thankfully not the same knee that kept him out for ten months previously. Joelinton missed the Arsenal game and will also sit this one out, but he is set to be absent for “weeks not months” according to Howe. Jamaal Lascelles remains unavailable for selection.
Newcastle United Predicted Lineup
GK Nick Pope
RB Tino Livramento
CB Emil Krafth
CB Dan Burn
LB Matt Targett
RM Sean Longstaff
CM Lewis Miley
LM Lewis Hall
RW Joe Willock
STR Callum Wilson
LW William Osula
