MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 12:25:03| >> :120:12434:12434:

How Newcastle United could line up for their first game back

Sports Mole looks at how Newcastle United could line up for their first match back after lockdown, when they are expected to face Watford at St James' Park.

Newcastle United return to action in the Premier League knowing that they still have work to do in order to retain their top-flight status.

Ahead of a clash with Sheffield United on June 20 or 21, the Magpies sit eight points above the relegation zone with nine games remaining.

However, Steve Bruce will have confidence in his side after a much-needed 1-0 triumph away at Southampton in their final fixture before football was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Here, Sports Mole predicts how the North-East outfit could line up for their meeting with the Blades at St James' Park.



NEWXI VS. SHU

Out: Jetro Willems (knee)
Doubtful: Ciaran Clark (thigh), Paul Dummett (other)

> Click here for Newcastle's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

For their success at St Mary's, Bruce used a 4-4-2 formation, a change from what had become a familiar 5-4-1 strategy.

However, Bruce may return to the latter for the game against their next opponents, who will set up with similar tactics.

That may lead to Bruce recalling Joelinton, despite his lack of goals this season, with Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron being used on the flanks.

While Newcastle are currently blessed with options in the centre of the pitch, Isaac Hayden and Jonjo Shelvey impressed as a partnership in the most recent outing.

A change in formation will most likely lead to Matt Ritchie dropping down to the substitutes' bench, allowing DeAndre Yedlin and Danny Rose to feature at wing-back.

Newcastle have been handed a boost with the return to training of Ciaran Clark, who had initially been ruled out for the season with a thigh injury.

However, the Republic of Ireland international may only be selected among the replacements, leaving Federico Fernandez, Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schar to form a back three.

Despite recovering from a thigh injury, Paul Dummett's availability remains in doubt with the versatile defender having been left out of the club's 25-man squad.

ID:401299: cacheID:401299:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5038:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Newcastle United's Allan Saint-Maximin celebrates scoring their third goal on February 4, 2020
Read Next:
Newcastle United's most valuable players
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool34228475344174
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!