Newcastle United can pull clear of Brighton with a win against the Blues.
Ryan Sessegnon of Fulham scores their second goal
Newcastle United will be keen to bounce back from last week’s defeat against Fulham at Birmingham City on Saturday.
The Magpies have been pretty formidable away from home, and will no doubt be buoyed by the Blues’ dismal run of form under Gianfranco Zola.
Newcastle are, however, without a number of regulars for their trip to St Andrew’s, so how might Rafa Benitez’s side line up?
Goalkeeper: Karl Darlow
Defenders: Vurnon Anita, Jamaal Lascelles, Grant Hanley, Paul Dummett
DeAndre Yedlin and Ciaran Clark are out so Benitez must decide between Anita or Jesus Gamez at right-back and Hanley or Chancel Mbemba in the middle, although Gamez did come on there last week. Anita started against the Cottagers so should keep his place, while Mbemba’s chances of a recall are seemingly bleak despite posting defiant message on Twitter earlier.
Midfielders: Christian Atsu, Jonjo Shelvey, Jack Colback, Matt Ritchie
Isaac Hayden is still missing so Shelvey and Colback are likely to continue, with Mohamed Diame in line to join them should Benitez see fit. Either way, Atsu and Ritchie should keep their places out wide.
Strikers: Dwight Gayle, Daryl Murphy
Daryl Murphy of Newcastle United scores their first goal
Top scorer Gayle is almost certain to start, with Benitez’s only other dilemma whether to go with the in-form Murphy or Diame alongside him.
How would your Newcastle United side look against Birmingham?
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