Newcastle’s next game in the Championship is away to QPR. Newcastle beat Derby 2-0 on Saturday night.
Having moved up to second in the Championship, Newcastle’s next game is away to QPR, where they will go in search of their fifth consecutive league win.
Rafael Benitez’s side beat Derby 2-0 on Saturday night, thanks to goals from Yoan Gouffran and DeAndre Yedlin. With games coming thick and fast, Benitez might be tempted to tinker with his line up, especially with the wealth of options at his disposal.
This could be the XI the Spaniard picks to take on QPR:
Matz Sels will continue in goal for Newcastle, as he begins to settle into life in the Championship. The Belgian had looked anything but convincing in the opening weeks of the season, but his performances against Brighton and Derby have helped pay Benitez back for the faith he put in him.
Newcastle have a settled centre back partnership in Jamaal Lascelles and Chancel Mbemba, with the former putting in a huge performance against the Rams on Saturday. The two youthful defenders should line up next to each other again on Tuesday night.
Derby County’s Tom Ince has a shot blocked by Newcastle United’s Vurnon Anita
One area where Benitez could rotate is at full back. Newcastle brought in Yedlin and Achraf Lazaar this summer, and while the Moroccan may have to settle for a place on the bench, there is a good chance that former Sunderland loanee Yedlin could start at Loftus Road.
Vurnon Anita looks to be one of Benitez’s favoured players, and his versatility could see him move over to left back and allow Yedlin to play on the right of the defence, giving Paul Dummett a break.
The one surprise on Saturday saw Isaac Hayden on the bench, with Jack Colback taking his place. Despite a solid performance from Colback, 21-year-old Hayden should come back into the side and continue his blossoming partnership with Jonjo Shelvey.
Newcastle United’s Yoan Gouffran celebrates scoring their first goal
In front of Hayden and Shelvey is likely to be Mo Diame, who can drop into a midfield three if Newcastle are under pressure, which is a good option for Benitez to have when playing away from home.
Diame will be flanked by Matt Ritchie and the resurgent Gouffran, whose venomous volley gave Newcastle the lead at the iPro Stadium.
Newcastle have plenty options up front, but Dwight Gayle’s record this season should see him get the nod again, despite having a game of limited chances against Derby.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
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