Newcastle United entertain Leicester City on Saturday after picking a point in their last six Premier League matches. Rafael Benitez’s men are in freefall and desperately need three points against the Foxes to give themselves some breathing room from the relegation zone. The Magpies took the lead in their last match at Stamford Bridge but Chelsea pegged them back and scored three goals to ensure victory.
The Foxes, on the other hand, have finally found their touch and has won their last two league matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley respectively. The recent history of the fixture doesn’t make good reading for the Toon Army. Leicester have won their past four meetings with the Magpies which includes a 3-0 victory at St. James Park in 2015.
Rafael Benitez is expected to stick with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation and might bench Rob Elliot again.
4-2-3-1 Predicted Newcastle United Line-Up To Face Leicester City
Defence
Karl Darlow is once again expected to start in goal for the Magpies after his recent performances have caught the eye of the Newcastle manager. He will be protected by a back four consisting of DeAndre Yedlin at right-back, Ciaran Clark and Florian Lejeune at the heart of the Newcastle defence and Javier Manquillo at left-back.
The Magpies have conceded 22 goals in 15 league matches, which has left their defenders low in confidence. It would be up to Benitez to raise their spirits as they look to keep a rare clean sheet against the Foxes on Saturday.
Midfield
Isaac Hayden may partner Mikel Merino as the holding midfielders of this Newcastle team. Jacob Murphy will start on the left flank while Matt Ritchie will look cut in from the right-hand side of the midfield.
Rafael Benitez might even opt for Jonjo Shelvey to take one of the midfield roles so it would be interesting to see who gets the nod on Saturday.
The Magpies’ midfielders will be up against a hardworking Leicester midfield which might include the likes of Vicente Iborra and Wilfred Ndidi. It would be important to win the 50-50 balls and match their work ethic for the Tyneside club to get a result on Saturday.
Attack
Ayoze Perez will play off Dwight Gayle who will once again lead the lines for the Magpies. Gayle scored the opener against Chelsea in their last match and will be hoping to get his name on the scoresheet again.
The Spanish striker Joselu might come off the bench if required with Newcastle struggling to score enough goals this season.
