Newcastle will have a tough time resurrecting their flailing form when Premier League champions Manchester City visit St James' Park on Saturday night.
The Magpies could find themselves as low as tenth by the end of the weekend as Chelsea have the opportunity to move above them, with their chances of making the top four getting more and more unlikely.
Naturally, the injuries manager Eddie Howe has had to deal with are a major factor in their poor form, as well as coping with the Champions League group stage before their exit from Europe. Some confidence can be taken from the FA Cup win over Sunderland last weekend, but this will be a much tougher test.
Here is the starting lineup Howe is likely to choose for Newcastle vs Man City in the Premier League.
GK: Martin Dubravka — Fans wondered if he would be dropped for Loris Karius against Sunderland but he wasn't, so his rhythm has not been disrupted. Dubravka will have a lot more to do in this game.
RB: Kieran Trippier — Made his return from injury against Sunderland and had a good game, which will help rebuild his confidence after a tough end to 2023. This match might not help as much.
CB: Fabian Schar - It was a surprise Howe used Schar and Botman for almost the entire game against Sunderland, but he will surely do the same again here.
CB: Sven Botman - The Dutchman's return was welcomed by fans but results have not picked up, though that is largely down to the amount of injuries elsewhere rather than his individual performances.
LB: Tino Livramento — Dan Burn was at left-back in the FA Cup but Newcastle look more balanced with Livramento in the team and he should start here.
CM: Sean Longstaff — There are suggestions that the English midfielder could leave the club in January,
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