Newcastle United return to Premier League action following the World Cup break away at Leicester City on Boxing Day. So, HITC Football has predicted who makes Eddie Howe’s XI.
The Toon will not have wanted the top-flight campaign to hit pause ahead of Qatar 2022. Howe has overseen a sensational season so far on Tyneside with the Magpies sitting third in the table. They and leaders Arsenal are also the only teams to lose just one game so far.
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Howe’s men scoring 29 goals in 15 games for eight wins and six draws also saw Newcastle produce the fourth-best offence. Only Manchester City (40), Arsenal (33) and Tottenham Hotspur (31) hit more. While no side conceded fewer than Newcastle or the Gunners (11).
Newcastle should have a near full-strength squad to choose from when they visit Leicester on Boxing Day. But Howe confirmed that £63m record signing Alexander Isak is ‘probably’ not fit enough to feature at the King Power Stadium while he recovers from a thigh injury.
Emil Krafth is also yet to return from the cruciate ligament rupture he sustained in the EFL Cup at Tranmere Rovers on August 24. But The Shields Gazette reports Joelinton should be fit after a hamstring concern. Callum Wilson is also fit to take on the Foxes on Boxing Day.
Further, Howe should have Allan Saint-Maximin available after the winger featured in the EFL Cup against AFC Bournemouth. The Frenchman was a doubt for the Toon’s 1-0 win on Tuesday after appearing to be in discomfort in their final friendly against Rayo Vallecano.
Eddie Howe makes two changes in our predicted Newcastle XI vs Leicester
So, as Howe will face Leicester on Boxing Day with almost a full-strength Newcastle squad, HITC Football has predicted the Magpies boss will make two changes to his last XI in the Premier League. The Toon were last in action on November 12 as they beat Chelsea 1-0.
Nick Pope will retain his place in Newcastle’s net after a stunning start to the goalkeeper’s career on Tyneside. Their £12m summer signing from Burnley will also hope to register his eighth clean sheet. The 30-year-old has so far kept seven from 15 Premier League fixtures.
HITC Football has also predicted that Howe will pick an unchanged defence for Newcastle’s XI at Leicester. Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman and Dan Burn have emerged as the Toon’s primary backline this term. So, Matt Targett is unlikely to now receive his recall.
Allan Saint-Maximin starts as Eddie Howe rotates his midfield and attack
Changes are likely in midfield, however, with Joelinton returning to a deeper role from his left-wing duties against Chelsea. Howe no longer needs the Brazilian in an advanced area with Saint-Maximin available. The Frenchman has not started a league game since August.
But Saint-Maximin could now come into their line-up at the King Power alongside a return for Wilson. Chris Wood led the Toon attack against Chelsea with Howe only fielding Wilson from the bench. But the England forward is the Magpies’ first-choice No.9 when he is fit.
Miguel Almiron is also one of the first names on Howe’s teamsheets now. The Paraguayan is Newcastle’s top goalscorer ahead of Wilson (6) after hitting eight goals before the World Cup. So, Leicester could face arguably Newcastle’s best front-three options on Boxing Day.
While in midfield, Sean Longstaff, unfortunately, misses out for Joelinton to drop in beside Bruno Guimaraes and Joe Willock. The Toon product has delivered some tireless displays already this season. But the workmanlike talent is still not at the top of the pecking order.
HITC Football’s predicted Newcastle XI vs Leicester: Pope (GK); Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Willock, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Wilson, Saint-Maximin
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