For the matchup with Manchester City, our Newcastle United writers have selected their starting lineup.
Eddie Howe and Pep Guardiola embrace prior to the 5-0 loss in May at the Etihad Stadium.
Eddie Howe and Pep Guardiola embrace prior to the 5-0 loss in May at the Etihad Stadium.
On Sunday, Newcastle United will host Manchester City at St. James' Park in an attempt to score a significant shock over the Premier League champions. With a win and a draw in their first two games, the Magpies have had a strong start to this season.
In their attempt to make it three wins in a row in the league, City will present an entirely different challenge. There are several superstars at Pep Guardiola's disposal, including the tremendously talented Erling Haaland.
How therefore can Newcastle defeat City and their elite players? Our authors have suggested the following lineup for Eddie Howe's team on Sunday afternoon.
Roger Stokes
In my opinion, Eddie Howe made a crucial defense call. It seems unfair to have to bench one of Newcastle's top defenders, but I believe Sven Botman does so if Matt Targett is able to play.
Alongside Fabian Schar, Dan Burn has enjoyed a strong start to the season. Howe will probably continue to defend with four players. For positions higher on the field, I like Sean Longstaff over Joe Willock.
The front three will likely be Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin, and Miguel Almiron as the Magpies look for attacking options in the transfer market.
Pope; Trippier; Schar; Burn; Targett; Guimaraes; Joelinton; Longstaff; Almiron; ASM; Wilson make up Aaron's squad.
Ryder, Lee
If Matt Targett is certified fit on game day, Howe's defensive lineup appears to be quite simple.
It is unclear if he will make a change in the midfield, but if he does, Sean Longstaff might be assigned to play as one of the holding midfielders.
Longstaff is eager for a repeat of the win over Manchester City in 2019, when he was instrumental in defeating Pep Guardiola's team and received accolades from the former Barcelona manager. Howe's starting trio seems to be chosen for him.
Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett, Bruno, Joelinton, S. Longstaff, Saint-Maximin, Wilson, and Almiron make up Lee's squad.
Connor Kelly
If Matt Targett is healthy—Newcastle will decide on the defender very late—I would start the left back since the team needs a specialist there to face either Riyad Mahrez or Phil Foden.Although switching to a back five would be alluring, I advise against it since Newcastle might become overly defensive as a result and expose themselves to unnecessary pressure.
Given how impressive Sven Botman was on his full debut against Brighton last week, there is therefore a critical decision to be made at left-sided center-back. Dan Burn, though, narrowly edges it in my opinion for a game of this magnitude because of his extensive Premier League experience and his successful connection with Fabian Schar.
Botman will very soon begin matches against the league's top teams, but continuing to ease the new player into the lineup won't hurt him in the short run.
Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett, Bruno, Willock, Joelinton, Almiron, Wilson, and Saint-Maximin make up Ciaran's squad.
McCormick, Sean
The only adjustments I'd make are to move Dan Burn back into center-half beside Sven Botman and, if Matt Targett is declared fit, bring him back into the starting lineup. I believe that Botman and Burn are more dependable defensively against a club with the attacking firepower that Man City have, despite the fact that the Dutchman demonstrated enough against Brighton to warrant another start.
As a result, I wondered if Newcastle might switch to a back five. However, I don't think it would be entirely in Howe's character to sacrifice Newcastle's success in transition by using his preferred 4-3-3 formation.
Pope, Trippier, Botman, Burn, Targett, Guimaraes, Willock, Joelinton, Almiron, Saint-Maximin, and Wilson make up Sean's squad.
Andrew Jamieson
If Matt Targett is still down, United must continue like it did in the Brighton tie. Eddie Howe will have to make some choices, though, if the left-back is determined to be fit. Targett would have to resume his regular responsibilities, but could that persuade the United manager to convert to a back three with Trippier and Targett playing fullbacks?
It's possible, but I'm not convinced it would be the best strategy against a City team who will try to control the midfield. If Targett returns, I believe Fabian Schar might be left out, which would be a tough blow for the Swiss defender.United needs another forward; as I suggested last week, Ryan Fraser might get a shot but was unable to play because of a back problem. If he's healthy, he still has a solid chance, but Almiron's work rate might tip the balance in favor of City's fluid offense. Sean Longstaff would replace Joe Willock as one of the changes I would make.
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