After four meetings already this season, Newcastle are back in action against Man City in tonight’s FA Cup last 16 tie at St James’ Park.
We beat Pep Guardiola’s side 2-1 here in the league back in November, and having just beaten the in-form Manchester United on Wednesday night, we’re carrying some good momentum heading into tonight’s game.
Winning the FA Cup is perhaps our best chance of securing European football for next season, so we’ll need to be at our very best tonight if we want to keep ourselves in contention for at least the Europa League come September.
Here’s how we line up in tonight’s late kick-off:
Newcastle XI: Ramsdale – Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall – Tonali, Willock, Woltemade – Elanga, Osula, Barnes
Substitutes: Pope, Joelinton, Wissa, Gordon, Livramento, J.Murphy, Burn, A.Murphy, Neave
Man City XI: Trafford – Nunes, Khusanov, Stones, Ake – Nico, Reijnders, O’Reilly – Savinho, Doku, Marmoush
There’s four changes from Wednesday’s win over Man Utd, as Dan Burn, Joelinton, Anthony Gordon and Jacob Ramsey make way for Sven Botman, Nick Woltemade, Will Osula and Joe Willock.
After his heroics midweek, Aaron Ramsdale retains his place in the starting XI, whilst game winner Will Osula leads the line. Top scorer Anthony Gordon is only on the bench.
Tino Livramento, who was injured previously in the third round clash against Bournemouth, is back in the squad for the first time since January.
Sven Botman is a huge addition in the defence from the start, and notoriously has Erling Haaland’s number, but the big Norwegian is absent once again.
But Howe’s hands have been tied in terms of his midfield selection. With no Bruno Guimaraes or Lewis Miley (still injured) nor Jacob Ramsey (suspended), Joe Willock and Nick Woltemade join Tonali in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile for the visitors, Nico O’Reilly returns from injury, and will be looking to add to the grace he netted against us in the league. Meanwhile the dangerous Omar Marmoush is up top for Guardiola tonight in Haaland’s absence.
A place in the quarter-finals is up for grabs, as well as a chance at revenge for the Carabao Cup semi-finals. Howay The Lads!
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