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Predicting Newcastle’s lineup vs. Leicester City tomorrow

By Durim Halimi

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Jonjo Shelvey of Newcastle United looks on during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC at St. James Park on August 11, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Jonjo Shelvey of Newcastle United looks on during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC at St. James Park on August 11, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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Newcastle United and Leicester City will face each other in the second round of the Carabao Cup at St. James’ Park tomorrow.

Newcastle United got the worst draw in the second round of the Carabao Cup (EFL Cup). While several Premier League clubs drew inferior opponents from lower leagues, the Magpies were drawn against Leicester City, a side that some pundits think have a good shot at finishing in the top six this season.

Fortunately for Newcastle United, the Carabao Cup is essentially meaningless, so the Toon Army would not be disappointed with an early exit from this tournament. In fact, we are used to it after being eliminated by Nottingham Forest over the last two seasons.  Bruce should not risk key players in tomorrow’s clash against Leicester City. Picking up injuries ahead of a winnable league game against Watford this weekend is not worth it.

It remains to be seen who Bruce will throw into the starting lineup since he has repeatedly stated that he wants to play a quality lineup against Leicester City. We do know that Allan Saint-Maximin and Jamaal Lascelles will not play after picking up hamstring and calf injuries in the Magpies’ 1-0 victory over Tottenham on Sunday. Joelinton also seemed fatigued and dealt with a groin problem against Tottenham, so I would hope that he is left off the team sheet, too.

Lineup Prediction

Formation: 3-5-2

Karl Darlow; Emil Krafth, Federico Fernandez, Fabian Schar; Javier Manquillo, Ki Sung-yueng, Jonjo Shelvey, Matty Longstaff, Jetro Willems; Miguel Almiron, Yoshinori Muto.

The lineup listed above is the team I think Bruce will go with. There is enough depth to utilize some quality players in central midfield, which is great because the team cannot afford to lose Isaac Hayden and Sean Longstaff to injuries. Up top, tomorrow’s clash is great for Muto to get some minutes, but the injuries to Andy Carroll and Dwight Gayle leave Bruce with no option but to start Almiron alongside him.

Next. How Newcastle United defeated Tottenham. dark

In the back, Bruce will most likely start Schar or Dummett due to the fact that he wants to win and not experiment. The fact that Bruce kept praising Dummett for his heroic performance on Sunday leads me to believe that he would choose to sacrifice Schar, who was also amazing on Sunday, over Dummett.