Newcastle United’s consistent run of form has been widely acclaimed ever since their drop to the Championship last season. Rafael Benitez has dealt with the baptism of fire in a pretty professional manner and has ignited the broken souls in the St. James’ Park-based outfit’s ranks post their dramatic collapse last season.
With an automatic qualification spot as well as the second tier silverware looking very likely to materialise for them come the end of the season, they face third-placed Huddersfield Town at John Smith’s Stadium after winning against Brighton & Hove Albion in their last outing.
Here is our Newcastle United predicted line-up for their next outing which is going to take place on 5th March against Huddersfield Town.
Defence
Karl Darlow is expected to continue with the gloves once again for Newcastle United as they face the Terries. The Englishman has been a reliable goalkeeper for the Geordies despite being erratic at the start, collecting 10 clean sheets and making 49 saves in 24 appearances this season. Just in front of Darlow, we expect a usual four-man defensive wall comprising of Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Paul Dummett and Vurnon Anita.
Lascelles and Clark should line up at the heart of their backline. Despite the return of Anita last weekend, Benitez preferred to use DeAndre Yedlin on the right-back slot which could have been a conventionally precautionary measure of not letting him have a go straight away. But against Huddersfield Town, we are expecting Anita to get a nod, with Paul Dummett likely to be played at left-back.
Midfield
The pair of Jack Colback and Jonjo Shelvey should be stationed in the middle of the park, for the pair has been the engine for the white and black crops. The former Real Madrid boss does have a shortage of option in the midfield, with Isaac Hayden still out. On the right wing, we expect Matt Ritchie to start and the left-wing is likely to be taken by Yoan Gouffran.
Attack
Despite Mohamed Diame’s goal against the Seagulls, we expect Ayoze Perez’s creativity from the no. 10 slot for the Magpies. Right up front, the pace and unpredictability of Aleksandar Mitrovic could be used to rattle David Wagner’s defence.
Mitrovic has an excellent opportunity to get some game time and to make him a regular customer for a place in the setup of Benitez, having a sensational game against a top quality side like Huddersfield Town (if he is allowed to ply his trade) could prove to be very crucial.
Predicted Line-Up:
Darlow
Anita-Lascelles-Clark-Dummett
Ritchie-Colback-Shelvey-Gouffran
Perez
Mitrovic
Statistics Credits: Squawka.
