Newcastle United predicted XI vs Everton: Jaissle faces rotation dilemma ahead of Carabao Cup tie
Newcastle United face Everton this evening in their 4th round Carabao Cup tie, with a chance to reach the quarter-finals for the 5th consecutive season.
Having bounced back from a couple of defeats with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday, Matthias Jaissle undoubtedly has some decisions to make ahead of this game, with the Magpies also playing Everton again in the league on Monday night.
Will the German rotate and hand out some minutes to those out of favour, or will he stick with what worked on Saturday and continue trying to build some partnerships? Here we take a look at our predicted lineup for the visit to The Hill Dickinson Stadium.
GK: Lukas Hornicek
Ewen Jaouen is back fit and Jaissle may choose to rotate his goalkeeper but, given the Czech is the undisputed number one, it makes sense to continue using him here to keep up that sharpness and build relationships with his backline.
Hornicek was excellent on Sunday and looked much more assured with Burn and Schar in front of him; the shot stopper will be looking to build on that here with another solid display.
RB: Amar Dedic
Jaissle confirmed in his press conference that Miley is dealing with a bit of a knock and is doubtful for this game. With Tino Livramento also still out injured, that leaves the door open for Amar Dedic to get another start here.
The Bosnian has only just come back from injury himself meaning there is some risk in using him after playing 89 minutes on Sunday, but Dedic is always full of energy and adds so much of a threat down that right flank, an attribute that is integral to the way Jaissle wants his side to play.
Hopefully he can build on that wonderful assist on Sunday with another creative display here.
CB: Fabian Schar
Schar returned to the starting lineup against Crystal Palace, displacing Malick Thiaw, and had a solid game.
Given that Schar hasn’t played that much football, it would be sensible to use this game as another fitness building exercise if the Swiss is to regain his place as a regular starter.
Away from home, his experience can’t be denied and his ball-playing abilities could also suit the Magpies against a physical Everton side.
CB: Dan Burn
In a similar fashion to Schar, Burn returned to the starting lineup to displace Sven Botman and really added a nice bit of leadership and simplicity that has otherwise been missing this season.
It would make sense to see him and Schar continue here, especially if they are going to be the definite starters going forward, as they look to build a relationship with Hornicek and the rest of the young team in front of them.
LB: Lewis Hall
Lewis Hall is having to play a lot of football at present, mainly as the Magpies don’t have an obvious back up left-back to take the strain off him.
But, Hall has been putting in some excellent performances and appears to have shaken off some of the injury sensitivity that looked as though it may cause issues earlier on in his career.
CM: Nico Gonzalez
There is a decent enough gap between this Everton game and Monday night that Jaissle can afford to play his most important players in both, hence why I expect Gonzalez to start again.
Nico was excellent against Palace and we have all now seen just how good he can be, it’s just about getting bodies around him in defensive areas so he isn’t left so open, and allowing him the freedom on the ball to dictate the game.
If we can do all of that tonight then he’s certainly a candidate to be a game winner for us.
CM: Jacob Ramsey
Ramsey returned against Palace to play 14 minutes and there is talk that he could see a much bigger role here.
Joelinton hasn’t actually been back from injury that long in the grand scheme of things and hasn’t exactly made himself undroppable in the past few outings, so I can see a world where Jaissle gives Ramsey a full run in that midfield pivot alongside Gonzalez.
RW: Anthony Elanga
It’s difficult to know exactly if these players are fit enough to start, but I can see a similar situation to what I just mentioned with Ramsey occur with Elanga.
Elanga is edging ever closer to being match fit and, after a cameo against Palace, Jaissle may see this as the perfect opportunity to get some minutes in his legs. I still expect him to heavily share with Murphy even if he does start, but Elanga’s pace could work wonders against that solid Everton backline.
CAM: Yoane Wissa
This could well be either Willock or Wissa. In fact, I think that’s a conversation we may be having a lot this season.
Wissa was dropped to the bench against Palace as Osula returned from injury and Jaissle has been open about how he wants to use the forward in both the striker and number 10 position this season.
For that reason I think we will see some rotation for tonight’s game, although I still expect WIllock to get a decent chunk of minutes.
LW: Harvey Barnes
I think many will be hoping to see Toure start tonight, mainly because of his lack of game time so far this season, but it’s difficult to overlook Barnes when you have a chance of getting into a quarter-final.
The winger scored again on Sunday and that ability to produce a moment could well prove the deciding factor in what is likely to be a battling away game with few chances.
ST: Will Osula
Osula should and will start again here. He scored against Palace with a lovely instinctual goal and Fernandez-Pardo is still doubtful for tonight’s game.
The Dane is far and away our best striker option right now and, having only played one game since returning properly from injury, it makes sense to give him more substantial minutes in the legs.
