It’s crunch time for Newcastle United in the Champions League, as we host PSV in our penultimate game of this season’s league phase.
Currently sat on 10 points, a win tonight could push us back into the automatic spots for the last 16, whilst a point would all but officially confirm our place in at least the play-offs.
However, Eddie Howe and the lads have a tough task ahead of them, as PSV boast a phenomenal recent away record, and themselves are still fighting for a play-off spot.
Here’s how the teams line-up at St James’ Park:
Newcastle XI: Pope – Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall – Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton – Barnes, Wissa, Gordon
Subs: Thompson, Ramsdale, Elanga, Woltemade, Willock, A.Murphy, Ramsey, Shahar, Neave, Miley
PSV XI: Kovar – Sildillia, Schouten, Man, Mauro Jr – Wanner, Veerman – Perisic, Til, Salah-Eddine – Driouech
There’s just the one change from this past weekend’s draw at Wolves, as Howe has recalled Yoane Wissa to the starting XI in place of Nick Woltemade, whilst Kieran Trippier retains his spot at right back ahead of Lewis Miley.
There’s still no sign of Dan Burn or Will Osula as they are gradually eased back into the squad from injury, so it’s a youthful selection from Howe on the bench with Miley, Neave and Shahar amongst the subs.
For the visitors, Ivan Perisic remains a danger man, and he’ll be an interesting test for Lewis Hall out on our left hand side.
But the Dutch side are without Ricardo Pepi, who has scored the joint most goals for them in this season’s competition, after he fractured his arm earlier this month.
After the disappointment and frustration of Sunday afternoon’s draw, we have to make sure this isn’t the last night of Champions League action St James’ Park sees this season: Howay The Lads!
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