Yoane Wissa chance & Dan Burn call: Newcastle United predicted XI v Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen v Newcastle United: Here’s how Eddie Howe’s side could line up in the Champions League tonight.
Newcastle United are back in Champions League action against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday evening (8pm kick-off GMT).
The Magpies were beaten 2-1 at Marseille last time out in the competition but head to Leverkusen knowing a win could be enough to secure progress to the next stage of the competition with two games to spare. Victory in Germany would also give Newcastle an opportunity to secure a top eight finish and progress straight to the last-16.
The match marks the start of a big week for Newcastle as they follow it up with a derby match against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday before a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Fulham at St James’ Park three days later.
As a result, Eddie Howe will have to carefully manage his players and squad, having not been afraid to rotate in recent matches. Howe made six changes from the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur to the 2-1 win over Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday.
More changes are expected against Leverkusen on Wednesday night.
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Newcastle United team news as nine ruled out
Newcastle will be without the injured Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, Sven Botman and William Osula for the Bayer Leverkusen match.
Newcastle also have four senior players ineligible to feature as they were not named in the Champions League squad list. UEFA rules dictate a club must name 25 players born on or before January 1, 2004 in their ‘List A’ squad, which includes four club-trained players.
As Newcastle do not have any club-trained players above the age of 21, their squad size was reduced by four, limiting Eddie Howe to naming 21 senior players. That saw Jamaal Lascelles, John Ruddy, Mark Gillespie and Harrison Ashby omitted from the Champions League squad despite being named in the Premier League squad.
Newcastle can add players born on or after January 1, 2004 in their ‘List B’ squad which allows young players registered to the club for at least two years to be eligible to feature in the Champions League.
Lewis Hall and Lewis Miley are named in the ‘List B’ squad due to their age so don’t take up a squad place despite already being established first-team players.
But in the absence of Pope, Ruddy and Gillespie, Newcastle are short of senior goalkeeping options for the Champions League match.
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Newcastle United predicted line-up v Bayer Leverkusen
Here is how Newcastle United could line up against Bayer Leverkusen tonight...
GK: Aaron Ramsdale
A guaranteed starter in the absence of all other senior goalkeepers.
RB: Tino Livramento
Livramento is Newcastle’s first choice right-back and second choice left-back but the lack of alternatives suggest he will have to start.
CB: Malick Thiaw
Back in his home country and looking to continue his impressive form. Thiaw has shown good resilience to play regularly for Newcastle and is an experienced operator in Europe given his previous experiences at AC Milan.
CB: Fabian Schar
Been in and out of the side this season but Howe could use this as an opportunity to give Dan Burn a rest heading into two important games.
LB: Lewis Hall
Eddie Howe has admitted he will have to manage Hall carefully after a lengthy spell out but he has impressed when on the pitch this season and was left out of the starting line-up against Burnley. He should start against Leverkusen given what he offers the side.
CM: Sandro Tonali
Was rested against Burnley following a knock, but should come back into the side unless he is still feeling the impact of it. Has travelled and is available to feature.
CM: Lewis Miley
Has been one of Newcastle’s best players since returning from the November international break. Howe clearly trusts him to deliver even in big matches.
CM: Joelinton
One booking away from a suspension in the Champions League, would rather it come against PSV Eindhoven at home than Paris Saint-Germain away or a potential knock-out round matches. Also needs to find some form and confidence to take back into the domestic campaign after a poor display against Spurs.
RW: Harvey Barnes
Anthony Elanga and Jacob Murphy have struggled on the right wing recently, so perhaps Howe could try something different. Barnes has been in fine scoring form this season with seven already in all competitions, including four in the Champions League.
LW: Anthony Gordon
Scored a penalty in each of Newcastle’s last two matches. Started up front in Marseille but has impressed on the left wing in the Champions League this season.
ST: Nick Woltemade
He pointed out his poor record against Leverkusen in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday. Will be looking to make the most of his return to Germany for the first time at club level. Newcastle are a more functional team with Woltemade leading the line and Gordon out wide.
NUFC substitutes
Yoane Wissa is set to be back on the bench having made his Newcastle debut as a substitute against Burnley on Saturday. The 29-year-old will have a chance ofmaking his Champions League debut in Leverkusen.
Young goalkeepers Max Thompson and Adam Harrison will be on the bench for Newcastle to support Ramsdale.
Alex Murphy will also be named on the bench once again.
Based on the predicted team, key players like Dan Burn and Bruno Guimaraes could be named on the bench along with the likes of Anthony Elanga, Joe Willock, Jacob Ramsey and Jacob Murphy.