A season filled with too much inconsistency, frustration and false dawns hit another bump in the road on Tuesday night, as we dropped two points at the death despite largely outplaying a poor Spurs side.
It was another late sickener at St James’ Park, costing us a chance to move 7th (albeit temporarily) and spoiling what would’ve been our third straight win in the league.
Our ability to see out games when in the lead has to improve, but there are reasons to believe we are slowly turning the corner after an improved run of performances since the last international break, where we’ve beaten Man City, looked good in Marseille for 45 minutes, dominated Everton from start to finish in a 4-1 win and outplayed Spurs for much of Tuesday’s draw.
Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento’s return has been massive, Malick Thiaw continues to look immense, Bruno Guimaraes will be back in the XI, Anthony Gordon looked sharp in midweek and we’ll soon have Yoane Wissa back to ease the burden on Nick Woltemade’s shoulders.
Meanwhile, we come up against a Burnley side who have lost five in a row and six of their last seven on the road, so we simply must capitalise as we head into the weekend 12th and four points behind the top five pace.
£55m signing Yoane Wissa could be on the bench for the first time after playing two behind-closed-doors games over the past week an Sandro Tonali has “every chance” of making it after picking up a knock in midweek, but there’ll be no Sven Botman, who will be assessed again next week after injections to ease his back pain.
Nick Pope (groin) remains out along with Kieran Trippier (hamstring) and Emil Krafth (knee), with Will Osula likely to be absent again as his ankle issues persist.
For Burnley, Martin Dubravka looks set to start in goal against his former club, but defender Axel Tuanzebe has been ruled out for Scott Parker’s side.
(4-3-3): Ramsdale – Livramento, Thiaw, Schar, Hall – Bruno, Tonali, Willock – Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon.
OUT: Burn, Joelinton, Miley, Murphy and Barnes. IN: Schar, Bruno, Willock, Elanga and Gordon.
Consistency has been missing and we’ll still be sore from another missed opportunity to win in midweek, but I back use to bounce back and continue what’s been a superb run of form at St James’ Park over the past few months.
We’ve won six and drawn one of our last seven home games, while Burnley have lost six and won just one (Wolves away) of their last seven on the road. Mix that with our need to bounce back, Bruno’s return and Burnley unable to rotate quite as effectively with their small squad and I can’t see past a comfortable home win.
Woltemade to get back amongst the goals in a one-sided three points at St James’ Park.
Prediction: Newcastle 3-0 Burnley
Howay the lads!
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