Predicted Newcastle side to play Cardiff: Shelvey expected to miss out

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Here is how we expect Newcastle United and Cardiff City to line-up ahead of their Championship meeting.

To be played on Friday 28th April 2017 at 18:45. Venue: Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff

Odds: Cardiff 13/5, Draw 13/5, Newcastle 1/1

Newcastle United travel to Cardiff for a Friday evening Championship encounter, with fans of the Magpies sure to be in jubilant mood ahead of what promises to be a celebration of the club’s promotion back to the Premier League.

Rafael Benitez’s side secured an automatic promotion spot earlier in the week with a 4-1 victory over Preston North End but – unlike supporters of the Toon Army – the Newcastle boss is unlikely to indulge in celebration and ease up against Neil Warnock’s Bluebirds.

Indeed, Benitez is expected to resist the temptation to rotate his line-up with squad members, or blood any of the club’s younger players, as the Magpies’ manager is fully aware that his team can still mathematically catch Brighton and Hove Albion at the top of the division to claim the Championship title.

Newcastle currently sit four points behind the Seagulls with two games remaining, and Benitez may be hopeful of a Brighton slip up at home against Bristol City before a trip to the Midlands to play Aston Villa on the final day of the season.

In the theoretical eventuality that Chris Hughton’s Seagulls are already on the proverbial beach, and get burnt by Bristol City and Villa, then Newcastle would want to be fully prepared to pounce and take the title.

With that in mind, an anticipated return to the Newcastle line-up for DeAndre Yedlin, Yoan Gouffran and Jack Colback is a strong possibility – with the latter replacing injury doubt Jonjo Shelvey in the heart of Benitez’s midfield. The additional duo to drop to the bench at the expense of Yedlin and Gouffran may well be Vernon Anita and Christian Atsu.

Meanwhile, opponents Cardiff could make a change to their line-up by giving forward Rickie Lambert a starting berth in attack, following the 35-year-old’s appearance from the bench for their 0-0 draw with Wigan Athletic last time out.

Here are our predicted line-ups for both Cardiff City and Newcastle United in full: