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Predicting Newcastle United’s 3/31 lineup vs. Huddersfield Town

By Carson A Merk

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 28: Jonjo Shelvey of Newcastle United protects the ball from Danny Drinkwater of Chelsea during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Chelsea and Newcastle on January 28, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 28: Jonjo Shelvey of Newcastle United protects the ball from Danny Drinkwater of Chelsea during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Chelsea and Newcastle on January 28, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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How will Rafa Benitez line up Newcastle United after a three-week hiatus?

It seems like an eternity in between matches for Newcastle United. The Magpies will kick off against Huddersfield Town in a few hours and our experts predicted how they will line up for the fixture.

Roy Emanuel

4-4-2

Dubravka; Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett; Kenedy, Shelvey, Diame, Ritchie; Perez, Gayle (Slimani 2nd half sub)

Durim Halimi

4-2-3-1

Dubravka; Yedlin, Clark, Lascelles, Dummett; Shelvey, Diame; Kenedy, Ritchie, Atsu; Slimani

Carson A. Merk

4-4-2

Dubravka; Yedlin, Lejeune, Lascelles, Dummett; Atsu, Diame, Shelvey, Kenedy; Perez, Slimani

Declan Ryan

4-4-2

Dubravka; Yedlin, Lejeune, Lascelles, Dummett; Ritchie, Shelvey, Diame, Kenedy; Gayle, Slimani

Three of us selected a 4-4-2 formation and Durim went with Rafa Benitez’s preferred 4-2-3-1. As has been the case since he arrived, Martin Dubravka remains the first-choice keeper in all four predictions. Paul Dummett, Jamaal Lascelles, and DeAndre Yedlin were unanimous selections on the back line. There were three votes for Florian Lejeune, with Durim going with Ciaran Clark.

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The midfield duo of Mohamed Diame and Jonjo Shelvey was chosen across the board. That pairing has been in great form lately. Scoring a brace in the club’s latest appearance, Kenedy was a unanimous decision on the wing. Matt Ritchie was picked by three of our experts, two put him on the wing, while Durim saw potential at the central attacking midfield spot for Ritchie. He scored a goal and played well there during the club’s friendly last week. I have Christian Atsu getting the start opposite Kenedy, mainly because Matt Ritchie is battling a slight injury. Rafa confirmed he will be in the squad, but I don’t see any reason to risk aggravating the knock when you have Atsu ready and waiting.

In the attack, we see the most exciting predictions yet. Three of our four experts suggest we’ll see Islam Slimani in the starting XI. He would be making his Newcastle United debut after missing time due to a thigh injury. Roy believes Dwight Gayle will be the starting striker with Slimani subbing on in the second half. Declan has both Slimani and Gayle starting up top for an attack-minded approach.