FIFA 19 simulation: Newcastle United 2, Huddersfield Town 0

A FIFA 19 simulation gave Newcastle United a goal in each half to defeat Huddersfield.

Per our usual routine for Newcastle United match days, we turn to FIFA 19 to give us a simulation preview of how the real match could go. Last week, the simulation predicted a 1-1 draw, which held true until Wolves’ stoppage-time winner. Today, FIFA gives us an early look at Newcastle United and Huddersfield Town.

Rafa announced a quintet of players that will miss the match, including Jonjo Shelvey, Federico Fernandez, Florian Lejeune, Karl Darlow, and the suspended DeAndre Yedlin. Adjusting to the limited squad, we went with a 4-2-3-1 formation that featured Dubravka, Manquillo, Lascelles, Schar, Dummett, Diame, Ki, Ritchie, Perez, Kenedy, and Rondon. Huddersfield Town’s lineup was similar to their XI vs. Arsenal, but minus injured players like Aaron Mooy.

It was almost a nightmare start for Newcastle United. Within the first two minutes, a long ball over the top found Alex Pritchard running down the middle of the attacking zone. Thankfully, he pushed his first-touch shot well wide. Despite missing the early chance, the Terriers were not discouraged and controlled possession for most of the first half hour.

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Newcastle finally had a chance as Kenedy ended a run down the left wing with a powerful shot that was deflected behind for a corner. After two corners, Ki had one of the better chances of the first half when he was given too much space inside the area. He didn’t make clean contact and his shot sailed over the crossbar. The midfielder would narrowly miss a long-range shot from outside the area in the 43rd minute.

In first-half stoppage time, Salomon Rondon came up big for the Toon. Mohamed Diame played a perfectly weighted pass into the area and the striker buried his chance.

Up a goal, Newcastle United made the first substitution of the match, bringing on Yoshinori Muto for Ayoze Perez. That move and the confidence from their lead allowed the Magpies to control almost the entire second half. Huddersfield could only muster brief moments of positive attacking play. Then, Ki scored in the 88th minute to bury them.

Newcastle United led on shots, shots on goal, possession, and corners in the 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town.