Sheffield Wednesday v Newcastle United – Match Preview

Newcastle United are in FA Cup action tomorrow (Saturday) with a 6pm Kick-off at Hillsborough live on BBC One as they take on League One Sheffield Wednesday.

This is only Eddie Howe’s second FA Cup game with the Magpies after the embarrassing defeat to Cambridge United last season. It was one of Howe’s first games in charge and was the biggest indication as to the size of the task that lay ahead for him.

One year on and Newcastle head into this fixture a completely different team in terms of confidence and surely won’t be fearing the task ahead. Although, as is always the case with Howe, he is aware that Sheff Wed can still cause a threat and will be guarding against complacency.

Newcastle’s record against The Owls isn’t the best so we’ll be looking to correct that on Saturday, however, when it comes to what team Howe will go with, I’ve been thinking on it all day and I just can’t predict it.

This is the eleven I’ve gone with. Plenty of changes across the board but still a fairly strong side with Bruno Guimaraes and Allan Saint-Maximin starting. I’ve gone with Elliot Anderson as I still believe he’s due a start for the Magpies this season, and although Eddie Howe won’t be pushed on the matter, I believe Alexander Isak will play some part tomorrow, whether it’s from the start or off the bench. He’ll not play the full 90, that’s for sure, but I’m hoping to see him in action.

I believe even a makeshift defence like the one I’ve put together there should be enough to keep The Owls at bay and with Maxi and Isak on the pitch there’s plenty of goal threat.

Score Prediction: Sheff Wed 0-3 Newcastle

The Vital Football Podcast Was Live After Newcastle’s 0-0 Draw With Arsenal – We Had Instant Reaction To That As Well As So Very Many Everton Tears. Catch Up Here.