Predicted Newcastle team v Southampton – Just the one change | OneFootball

Looking at the Newcastle team v Southampton.

Eddie Howe and his players hoping to bounce back from last weekend’s 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth.

That followed a run of eight excellent wins and performances against Leicester, Brentford, Ipswich, Aston Villa, Man U, Spurs, Arsenal, Bromley and Wolves.

So as things stand now, Eddie Howe’s side seeing the last ten matches bringing nine victories, one defeat and twenty seven goals scored, just the seven conceded.

A win today would see United guaranteed to move back into the Premier League top five, potentially top four.

So, what can we expect the Newcastle team v Southampton to be?

As a starting point, this was the Newcastle team v Bournemouth:

Dubravka, Livramento, Botman, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton, Bruno, Murphy, Isak, Gordon

On Friday morning, Eddie Howe gave us some pointers as to fitness and availability.

Fabian Schar is fine and available for today, having fully recovered from illness.

Sven Botman is fine after some rest, following a flurry of appearances after so long out. Though Eddie Howe also talked generally about he and his staff looking after the defender, trying to ensure no chance of any setback,

Nick Pope is back training with the squad and a good chance he makes the matchday squad today.

Callum Wilson is on track for return to availability in early February.

So it looks like, only Harvey Barnes, Jamaal Lascelles and Callum Wilson set to be missing for sure at Southampton. Nick Pope looking likely to be in the matchday squad.

Anyway, my take on all of this, my best guesstimate of the Newcastle team v Southampton:

Dubravka, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton, Bruno, Murphy, Isak, Gordon

If that becomes the reality, it would mean just the one change from the starting eleven against Bournemouth.

IN:

Botman

In the wins over Wolves, Arsenal and Spurs, Sven Botman showed he could play as the right centre-back alongside Dan Burn. Apart from Tonali, nobody played well against Bournemouth, Botman subbed at half-time for Schar. The Swiss defender wasn’t totally over his illness and no doubt that helped make Eddie Howe’s mind up to start with Sven Botman again, though afterwards he did say that it had probably been too much football in quick succession for the Dutchman after his long absence.

I would be amazed if Fabian Schar doesn’t start today, he has been excellent this season and also gives us extra quality playing out from the back with his right foot, as opposed to two left-footed central defenders. Just then a case of who plays alongside Schar and I would be happy with either. I think it will be Burn starting against Southampton but interesting to see what develops as we go on, whether/when Eddie Howe eventually brings in Botman alongside Schar. I also wouldn’t rule out Eddie Howe playing all three of them in certain matches, though definitely can’t see that happening today.

Otherwise, I think the Head Coach will give his players the chance to show that Bournemouth match was very much a one-off, with only Schar for Botman.

However, I do see it as a question of when and not if, Martin Dubravka is replaced by Nick Pope. Probably not today, although I wouldn’t rule it out completely.

Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Wednesday 5 February – Newcastle v Arsenal (8pm) Sky Sports (League Cup)

Saturday 8 February – Birmingham v Newcastle (5.45pm) BBC1 and BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)

Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)

Sunday 23 February – Newcastle v Forest (2pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 26 February – Liverpool v Newcastle (8.15pm) TNT Sports

(Weekend of Saturday 1 March –  NUFC will play in FA Cup fifth round if getting past Birmingham)

Monday 10 March – West Ham v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 15 March – Newcastle v Crystal Palace (3pm)