Newcastle United fans wouldn’t have thought in their wildest imagination about the nightmarish way the Mags would start their campaign after a dominant season in the Championship. Rafael Benitez has seen absolutely nothing going his way over the past two weeks.
If the Premier League losses weren’t enough, the Toon army saw themselves ousted by Championship side Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup second round in the midweek. It was a very late goal in the extra time that saw a largely understrength Newcastle side tumble.
However, Newcastle fans would hope to see a stronger side take on West Ham United in the weekend as both the teams seek for their first win in the league.
Predicted 4-4-1-1 Newcastle United Line-up vs West Ham United
Defence
Rob Elliot would start under the bar once again. The 31-year-old Irishman was rested in the midweek game against Nottingham Forest as last year’s first choice Karl Darlow started in that position. The English custodian ended up conceding three goals in the process and is unlikely to be handed a first team chance against a more fearsome attack of West Ham.
The back line is expected to see many changes from the midweek game as Benitez had opted for a second string team in the domestic cup. The first team is expected to return for the weekend. The central defence will be taken by Ciaran Clark and Jamaal Lascelles with Florian Lejeune still recovering from his ankle injury that he suffered on the opening day.
The defensive flanks are likely to be taken by Javier Manquillo and Mbemba. 23-year-old Mbemba is getting a real go now with Paul Dummett and Lejeune out of the squad with injury. They come to replace Jesus Gamez and Jamie Sterry on the flanks. Right-back DeAndre Yedlin is expected to return from his hamstring injury but is unlikely to start right away.
Midfield
Isaac Hayden and Mikel Merino will start as their first-choice midfielder Jonjo Shelvey remains out until September 10. Benitez had started with young Daniel Barlaser and Henri Saivet in the midfield against Forest and neither could come up with noteworthy performances.
The wings would be taken by Christian Atsu and Matt Ritchie after the heroics of Rolando Aarons in the midweek ended in futility.
Attack
Benitez will go with Joselu and Ayoze Perez as the top two, although Mo Diame and Aleksandar Mitrovic did quite well in the Carabao Cup.
