The Championship is heading towards a nail-biting finish this season. On a week where many title and playoff contenders failed to get closer to their cause, the competition is thrown open to as many six teams.
Newcastle United have repeatedly faltered in the New Year and second-placed Brighton & Hove Albion have also let go of a glorious chance to move atop the table. They are separated by one point in the top two positions and both the teams will be desperate to stay in the best position possible before the highly-anticipated clash between them early next month.
Newcastle United will host a struggling Aston Villa side in the weekend and although form wise, the Magpies are the favourites to win the fixture, Villa have enough artillery in their reserve to cause a major upset, which is quite common in the Championship. Newcastle United were held to a 1-1 draw last time they met at Villa Park but, stakes are a lot higher this time and Rafa Benitez wouldn’t want let go of the slim lead they have at the moment.
Predicted Newcastle United XI vs Aston Villa
Defence
Karl Darlow is expected to continue taking his place under the bar. The English goalie has conceded only 18 goals in 22 appearances and the boss expects him to get a clean sheet this time.
The back four should remain pretty much unchanged for this fixture despite their frustrating game against Norwich City. Paul Dummett should take his left-back role with DeAndre Yedlin starting on the right defensive flank. Vurnon Anita is still out with an ankle injury and although a return is on the cards he isn’t expected to start in the crucial fixture.
The ever-reliable duo of Ciaran Clank and Jamaal Lascelles are expected to start in the centre-half position. Lascelles snatched the all-important equaliser in the dying minutes in the last game and is brimming with confidence.
Midfield
Jonjo Shelvey and Jack Colback are expected to start in the midfield. With those two fit, Benitez rarely falls back to the other options. Although Mohamed Diame and Isaac Hayden are options, they are expected to start from the bench.
The left-flank will be taken by Yoan Gouffran and fan-favourite Matt Ritchie will start on the right flank.
Attack
Ayoze Perez is expected to take his number 10 role again. The Spaniard opened the scoring in the first minute of the game against Norwich and Benitez will hope something similar when they host Aston Villa. Dwight Gayle is expected to start this time. He started from the bench last time and the boss is desperate to get his best forward on the field.
