Newcastle United looks to make it three straight wins and we analyze the squad that will do it.
In less than an hour, Newcastle United will kick off against 13th place Burnley. Let’s break down the 18 players that will be taking on the Clarets at Turf Moor.
The Squad
Starting XI: Dubravka, Manquillo, Fernandez, Schar, Dummett, Willems, Hayden, S. Longstaff, Atsu, Joelinton, and Carroll.
Bench: Elliot, Gayle, Muto, Krafth, Lejeune, Yedlin, and M. Longstaff.
Analysis
Starting with the obvious, the club will be without three crucial starters in Allan Saint-Maximin, Miguel Almiron, and Jonjo Shelvey. Their replacements are Christian Atsu, Joelinton, and Sean Longstaff, but there will definitely be some adjustments made. For the first time, Andy Carroll and Joelinton will be in the starting lineup together.
While the official Premier League graphic shows Carroll wide left and Joelinton as the number nine, I’d be shocked if it wasn’t Joelinton that fades more to a winger position with much more pace than Carroll. Keep in mind that having both of those strikers on the pitch could make for a dangerous group on set pieces. Longstaff taking over for Shelvey reunites the tandem of he and Isaac Hayden. They were a great duo down the stretch last season before Longstaff’s injury. Atsu will need to step up and provide some energy on the break that will be lacking without Miggy and ASM.
The backline is about what would be expected. Javier Manquillo has definitely earned the opportunity to stay the starter for now and it’s great to see Fabian Schar back in the starting lineup and Florian Lejeune making the squad.
On the bench, Steve Bruce has two strikers in Dwight Gayle and Yoshinori Muto that can add some pace in contrast to Carroll and Joelinton and both are capable playing on the wing. Emil Krafth and DeAndre Yedlin could both also substitute on as either wingers or wing-backs to rotate the starters to a more attacking position if need be. Matty Longstaff could provide some energy as well and Rob Elliot with a rare appearance as the backup goalkeeper.