Newcastle United are back in Premier League action this evening and they’ll be looking to bounce back from Sunday’s FA Cup heartbreak.
The Magpies were well-beaten by Manchester City in their first quarter-final in 14 years, meaning their hopes of making the Wembley stage were shattered.
Prediction for tonight's game?
AFCB win
Draw
Magpies win
All that is now left to play for is league status and as such, they face a trip to the south coast to face relegation-threatened AFC Bournemouth.
Steve Bruce hinted that he’d “freshen” things up in his pre-match press conference, but will he? Here’s what we are predicting…
The 59-year-old could make as many as EIGHT changes with some rarely-seen players given a runout whilst others are handed a much-needed rest.
Bruce said pre-game: “I think it’s only right that I freshen us up. I don’t want to go down to Bournemouth with them not having a game for a week and us playing four games in 11 days so I will be making some changes. Hopefully that pays off.”
United could revert to a four-at-the-back system with Martin Dubravka keeping his spot between the sticks.
Javier Manquillo may be handed a rest so DeAndre Yedlin could come into replace him at right-back. The rest of the backline remains much the same with Fabian Schar dropping to the bench. It means skipper Jamal Lascelles, Federico Fernandez and Danny Rose all start.
In midfield, things are pretty much changed entirely. Isaac Hayden could do with a much-needed rest as can Allan Saint-Maximin whilst Sean Longstaff and Miguel Almiron were wholly underwhelming against City.
Matt Ritchie could defy his fitness worries to start on the left with Valentino Lazaro taking up a spot on the right. Through the middle, Jonjo Shelvey returns to the starting fold having been dropped to the bench on Sunday and he may partner Nabil Bentaleb, another player in need of minutes.
Upfront, Joelinton is primed to return in place of Andy Carroll as the 6 foot 4 target man was simply just ineffective against the FA Cup holders. Dwight Gayle could partner him in an exciting-looking yet well-rested 4-4-2 side.
The 29-year-old should have scored at the weekend and that would’ve made it two from two. He’s worth a start.