Predicted Newcastle team v Wolves at Molineux today

Looking at this Newcastle team v Wolves.

United knowing that any win will take them back into the top six after Saturday’s results, whilst victory by two or more goals sends NUFC into fifth (and only a point behind Liverpool who are fourth).

Eddie Howe and his players hoping to make it four Premier League wins in a row, after nine points form a trio of league victories over Burnley, Palace and Leeds.

A 2pm Sunday afternoon kick-off today at Molineux.

Newcastle United also looking to make it consecutive away PL wins for a first time this season, as well as bouncing back from the Carabao Cup defeat in midweek to Pep Guardiola’s side.

As a reminder, this was the Newcastle team v Manchester City five days ago:

Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Ramsey, Joelinton, Bruno, Jacob Murphy, Gordon, Wissa

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

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

Taking all of that into consideration…

This is my predicted Newcastle team v Wolves:

Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton, Bruno, Elanga, Gordon, Wissa

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

With coming in – Trippier, Tonali, Elanga

Dropping out – Miley, Ramsey, Jacob Murphy

With at least seven players missing, it doesn’t get any easier for Eddie Howe. Especially with so many matches in quick succession after a relatively ‘long’ five days since Man City for this game. After today it is PSV home on Wednesday, Villa home Sunday, PSG away Wednesday, Liverpool away Saturday, Man City away Wednesday.

Lewis Miley has done really well at right-back but I think probably a case of sharing that workload with Kieran Trippier, now he is back available. With so many games coming up, plenty of football to go around for the players that Eddie Howe feels he can most rely on.

Jacob Ramsey actually had one of his best NUFC games so far I think on Tuesday against Man City. However, I think Sandro Tonali comes back in as Eddie Howe looks to ensure a fourth PL win in a row.

Only West Ham have conceded more Premier League goals at home than the 23 in 10 games that Wolves have leaked at Molineux.

I think from the first whistle, Howe will want his front trio putting maximum pressure on that Wolves defence. Which is partly why I see that Gordon, Elanga, Wissa combination starting today.

We all know Elanga has struggled to reproduce his Forest form so far and has been further hampered by injuries. I think an away game is probably a better option for him to start again, without the moans and groans from the SJP crowd when he does something wrong. With Jacob Murphy now unavailable, it also means that it is a lot more pressing to get Elanga involved more.

I see Wissa starting today and then Woltemade coming in against PSV on Wednesday.

Both Gordon and Barnes obviously prefer to play on the left and I think Eddie Howe likes to have one of them available to come off the bench, as well as one of the two strikers, to change things if necessary during games.

I see the two wingers and two strikers sharing the workload today and no surprise whichever way Eddie Howe decides to do it.