Predicted Newcastle team v Leeds ahead of St James’ Park clash tonight

Looking at this Newcastle team v Leeds.

Our next match in the Premier League.

Newcastle United looking to build on the wins over Burnley and Crystal Palace, to hopefully continue to rise up the Premier League table.

Eddie Howe and his team go into tonight’s match only two points off the top five.

With rock bottom Wolves away to follow in the Premier League after Leeds at home, the potential to get real momentum in 2026.

As a reminder, this was the Newcastle team v Crystal Palace:

Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton, Bruno, Jacob Murphy, Gordon, Wissa

The Eddie Howe pre-match press conference on Tuesday for this Leeds match, saw the Head Coach state on the fitness/availability of Jacob Murphy and Anthony Elanga: “Jacob had a scan but no major injury there, so I think it was probably fatigue. His physical numbers in the game were outstanding. I think he’ll be available. It will be a late decision but fingers crossed. I don’t think Anthony is quite there yet. It’s just taking a little bit longer in the final stages than we’d hoped. It won’t be long.”

As well as Anthony Elanga, Dan Burn, Will Osula, Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth all remain out.

Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman and Tino Livramento all returned to the matchday squad for the Crystal Palace match, whilst Nick Pope, Joelinton and Yoane Wissa came into the starting eleven at Burnley AND then were ok to play again on Sunday, against Palace.

A big improvement in terms of number of options for Eddie Howe, plus it meant a far stronger bench three days ago, which played a big part in ensuring Newcastle won against Crystal Palace.

Taking all of that into consideration…

This is my predicted Newcastle team v Leeds:

Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton, Bruno, Barnes, Gordon, Woltemade

If the above ends up as the reality, it would mean two changes for Eddie Howe.

Woltemade and Barnes replacing Wissa and Murphy.

Looking at the bench against Crystal Palace, you have the likes of Trippier, Botman, Barnes, Livramento, Woltemade, Willock and Ramsey all now pushing for a start.

However, I think the plan will be for most of them to come back into the starting eleven on Saturday against Bournemouth in the FA Cup.

I know it is stating the obvious but clearly Eddie Howe will be desperate to complete a trio of Premier League victories to get us very competitive towards that top five or six in the table. My belief is that he will see the best way to do that by having another game where there is continuity.

Which to me signals just those two changes. Now that he has got Yoane Wissa up to prime match fitness with two starts only three days apart, time now to put Big Nick back in for a game, plus look after Jacob Murphy and put Harvey Barnes in, who was excellent off the bench on Sunday. Although I have a feeling it will be Anthony Gordon moved to his less favoured right and Barnes on the left this time.

As well as the substitutions helping United to beat Palace, it also meant the likes of Hall, Tonali and Gordon only playing an hour, meaning that physically they should be in ok shape to start again, if selected.

Tonali has been below par a bit recently but not physically. His touch and decision making might have been a bit off at times against Palace but he was still able to make those trademark recovery sprints to snuff out danger a number of times.

I think the bottom line overall, is that it is great we are now getting into a position where it isn’t a case of the team pretty much picking itself, where before you could easily foresee who would start each match, give or take the odd player.

You have seen what Dean’s thoughts are on the most likely Newcastle team v Leeds, please use the comments section below to give your thoughts on which eleven you think Eddie Howe will select. Plus of course what would be your preferred starting eleven tonight.