LIVE
...

Follow us on

Soccer News

Predicted Newcastle side to face West Brom: Safety allowing Benitez to experiment?

Rafael Benitez Manager (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Follow us on Google Discover

Rafa Benitez has a couple of fringe options who may get their chance now Newcastle United look safe.

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez chats with assistant Fabio Pecchia (r) before the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park on May 15, 2016 in...

Newcastle United are all but safe in the Premier League with four games remaining, yet Rafa Benitez will want his side to keep pushing for points.

The Magpies have won their last four home matches and can relegate visitors West Brom with a fifth straight victory on Saturday.

However, with Newcastle now unlikely to catch the sides above them or be caught by those below, Benitez may have the opportunity to experiment in the final weeks of the campaign.

After sticking with roughly the same side for some time now, there are likely to be changes…

West Bromwich Albion's Northern Irish defender Jonny Evans (R) defends against Newcastle United's English midfielder Jacob Murphy (L) during the English Premier League football match...

As the loan players potentially look to secure permanent moves, Martin Dubravka is one man who will keep his place.

And it would be a surprise to see changes in the back-line, too, even if Chancel Mbemba and Ciaran Clark might deserve an opportunity in place of Jamaal Lascelles and Florian Lejeune.

The switches are most likely to be in midfield, where Jacob Murphy could replace Matt Ritchie, while Benitez will have to attempt to convince Jonjo Shelvey – chasing an England call-up – to drop out for Mikel Merino.

Despite a substandard showing at Everton, Islam Slimani will surely be given another chance to impress.

Here is how we expect Newcastle to line up against West Brom:

Newcastle v West Brom