Lineup prediction: Fraser, Gillespie start for Newcastle vs. Blackburn

Newcastle United will host Blackburn Rovers in the second round of the Carabao Cup, but who will start?

Newcastle United are coming off an impressive 2-0 victory over West Ham in their season opener on Saturday, but their focus will now shift to the Carabao Cup.

An accelerated schedule due to COVID-19 will see the Magpies in action once again tomorrow. Steve Bruce’s men will take on Blackburn Rovers at St. James’ Park for the right to advance to the third round of the tournament to face either Oldham Athletic or Morecambe.

The main question fans would like answered is which lineup will Bruce deploy in tomorrow’s clash? The predicted list below includes a mixed lineup of regular starters and players who are itching for some minutes.

Predicted Lineup

Formation: 4-4-2

With Martin Dubravka out, and Karl Darlow the temporary main man between the sticks, Mark Gillespie will get his chance to show what he can do in goal for Newcastle United.

In front of the former Motherwell keeper fans will see captain Jamaal Lascelles and Federico Fernandez take their central positions. Javier Manquillo and Jamal Lewis will get a breather ahead of the Brighton game, which means DeAndre Yedlin and Emil Krafth will get the nod.

In the middle of the park it is fair to assume that Bruce will start the Longstaff brothers as there is no point in risking Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden, or Jeff Hendrick for this Carabao Cup encounter.

In the wide areas, Matt Ritchie will look to pick up where he left off last season, and his fellow countryman Ryan Fraser will make his debut in the black and white stripes.

Miguel Almiron and Joelinton will lead the front line against the Championship outfit as they did in a few FA Cup games last season. Both players were late substitutes against West Ham, but they should get a full game under their belts tomorrow.

Recap:

Gillespie; Krafth, Fernandez, Lascelles, Yedlin; Fraser, S. Longstaff, M. Longstaff, Ritchie; Almiron, Joelinton.