Newcastle United will travel down to the capital this evening for their Premier League clash with West Ham United ahead of the Carabao Cup final this weekend.
The Magpies return to action in the Premier League today, and their clash with West Ham marks the start of a huge season-defining week for the club, as they prepare to take on their opportunity for silverware.
Newcastle will face league leaders Liverpool on Sunday afternoon at Wembley Stadium for the Carabao Cup final, their second chance to secure a major trophy under Eddie Howe.
It hasn’t been easy for the North East giants since confirming their spot in the final after knocking out Arsenal in the semi-final.
Anthony Gordon is now suspended, Lewis Hall is out for the season, and Sven Botman is set to undergo surgery on his knee, so dreams might’ve been dampened in the challenge to defeat a Liverpool side in imperious form.
Still, Howe will be hopeful that his team will use this adversity to take back some control in the upcoming tie, and that can start under the lights at the London Stadium tonight.
Victories for Chelsea, Brighton and Hove Albion and Aston Villa over the weekend has seen Newcastle drop to ninth in the Premier League ahead of their game against the Hammers, so nothing short of three points will be acceptable in their fight for qualification for European football.
A win in East London would put the Magpies back on track, matching Manchester City in fifth for points; a draw would put them level with Aston Villa in seventh and a defeat would keep them in ninth, with no chance to progress until Premier League football resumes after international break on the 2nd of April against Brentford.
In terms of injuries, Lewis Hall, Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman are ruled out for both fixtures this week, with the latter expected to available in eight weeks, while Kieran Trippier will be subjected to a late fitness test and Alexander Isak has been passed as fit to start.
Anthony Gordon will serve the first of his three-match ban for violent conduct after being red-carded against Brighton, so he will also be unavailable against West Ham and Liverpool.
How could Newcastle line up against West Ham?
Nothing but Newcastle predicts that Howe will make three changes to the team that were knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton, maintaining his classic 4-3-3 formation.
We expect to see Martin Dubravka retain his role in goal alongside an unchanged defensive set up featuring Tino Livramento in the left-back role, Kieran Trippier on the right, while Dan Burn and Fabian Schar complete the centre-back partnership.
In midfield comes the first change of the starting eleven, with Joe Willock returning to the team-sheet alongside Bruno Guimaraes who also returns to the centre of the pitch alongside Sandro Tonali who retains his spot.
In the attacking threat we predict the Newcastle boss will make two changes with Anthony Gordon suspended, Jacob Murphy could return to his right winger role to replace Harvey Barnes, while Brazilian powerhouse Joelinton takes on the left winger role.
The starting eleven tonight could be a real insight into how Howe is looking to make up for the absence of Gordon, Hall and Botman in the Carabao Cup final, so will be an interesting watch for Newcastle fans.
