Predicted Newcastle team v PSV in the Champions League tonight

Looking at this Newcastle team v PSV.

United knowing that a point would almost certainly be enough to get a Champions League play-off spot, whilst a win would definitely do so.

Whilst wins over both PSV and PSG probably would be enough to ensure a top eight finish in the Swiss League stage and automatic progression to the last 16 knockout stages.

Eddie Howe and his players hoping to make it four Champions League wins, 13 points in total after seven games.

An 8pm Wednesday kick-off tonight at St James’ Park.

As a reminder, this was the Newcastle team v Wolves three days ago:

Pope, Tripper, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton, Bruno, Barnes, Gordon, Woltemade

The Eddie Howe pre-match press conference took place on Tuesday and at least seven players set to be unavailable today.

Jacob Murphy, Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento, Dan Burn, Jamaal Lascelles, Emil Krafth and Will Osula on the absentee list.

Eddie Howe revealing that Burn and Osula have returned to training but won’t be in the matchday squad tonight.

Taking all of that into consideration…

This is my predicted Newcastle team v PSV:

Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton, Bruno, Barnes, Gordon, Wissa

If the above ends up as the reality, it would mean two changes for Eddie Howe compared to the team that started against Wolves.

With coming in – Miley, Wissa

Dropping out – Trippier, Woltemade

With at least seven players missing, it doesn’t get any easier for Eddie Howe. Especially with so many matches in quick succession.

After tonight it is Villa home Sunday, PSG away Wednesday, Liverpool away Saturday, Man City away Wednesday.

Obviously, Eddie Howe, unlike us, will have all the data, the physical state of the players. What kind of shape they are in to play three days after quite an intense match at Wolves. So my predicted Newcastle team v PSV is based on everybody available who was in the matchday squad on Sunday.

I can’t see Kieran Trippier starting again tonight after his shift on Sunday, plus of course, Lewis Miley had done well there when filling in.

I think as well that Eddie Howe will flip it with the two strikers, this time Yoane Wissa starting and Nick Woltemade coming off the bench at some point in the match.

Other than that, I think Eddie Howe went with on Sunday what he considered the best available team, so will give them another chance in what is set to be a far more open match.

Wolves were so ultra defensive and that is certainly not how PSV play!