Newcastle will host Sheffield Wednesday this Boxing Day and will hope to stay at the summit of the table. The Magpies will be without a key player in Jonjo Shelvey as the midfielder has been handed a five-game ban. However, they have enough depth to see out a Wednesday side who have been pretty impressive this season.
The two sides faced off in last season’s 3rd round League Cup game that Wednesday managed to win at St. James’ Park. Those were the Steve McClaren days though and Newcastle, even though are in the second division, are a much better team, now.
Newcastle have won their last three games and the painful defeat at the hands of Nottingham has been forgotten. At home, they’ll be the favourites against a side who have won their last two games. Sheffield haven’t scored a whole lot of goals this season and against a Magpies defence who have let in just 17, expect a clean sheet from the home side.
The Toon army will want their side to win the festive fixture and here’s how Rafa could set up his team.
Defence
Ciaran Clark and Jamaal Lascelles have been pretty impressive and have formed a good partnership at the back. They’ll most likely be supported by Paul Dummett and DeAndre Yedlin in the side-back positions. Yedlin’s forward forays will offer the team something more on the right flank. Karl Darlow has done really well between the sticks and he is expected to continue in goal.
Midfield
Replacing Shelvey is the big question, isn’t it? Rafa has options in Mo Diame and Jack Colback. Diame can play in the deeper position which will enable him to use his pace and drive to burst forward. Having said that, he has done well in the role behind the striker and Benitez will not want to take that away from the African.
Colback offers good defensive attributes when he plays. Even though his distribution isn’t the same as Shelvey, he’s the likelier candidate to play in his compatriot’s absence. Isaac Hayden is expected to partner Colback in the double pivot.
Attack
Christian Atsu and Matt Ritchie are expected to line up on the flanks. Atsu has been in pretty good form and he’ll be a threat on the left. With someone like Dwight Gayle in red-hot form, Wednesday’s defence will have a tough time keeping the in-form Newcastle attack under the lid. Gayle has already managed 17 goals this season and will want to add to his tally.
