A change of shape for Newcastle United as we predict the NUFC lineup to face Manchester City on Saturday

Eddie Howe has a couple of players unavailable as Newcastle United take on Manchester City on Saturday in a 3pm non-televised kick-off at the Etihad.

Joelinton and Sven Botman both look likely to miss the game along with Harvey Barnes, but we expect that Dan Burn will be fit enough to feature, as will Anthony Gordon.

Eddie Howe tweaked the formation for the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal, and we expect that he will deploy a similar system to cope with Manchester City.

We think Howe will break out this formation when coming up against supposed tough opposition, but it's also party down to the absence of Thanos in the middle.

Goalkeeper

Martin Dubravka - Nick Pope was between the sticks against Birmingham City at the weekend, but that shaky footwork was there to send shivers down our spine again. Bring back MDubz!

Defenders

Kieran Trippier - The former England man has been top class when called upon lately, and there's a general feeling that Tino Livramento has gone off the boil slightly, so we are backing a start for Tripps.

Emil Krafth - Three centrebacks is going to be the way to go for this one, we reckon, but with Sven Botman injured, we expect to see the dependable Swede in the middle.

Fabian Schar - The back three pick themselves due to player availability, but you can always count on Fabian Schar.

Dan Burn - We are banking on him passing his fitness test and starting this one, otherwise, this entire lineup falls apart.

Lewis Hall - Probably the second name on the teamsheet after Alexander Isak these days.

Midfielders

Sandro Tonali - With just Bruno Guimaraes alongside him, we expect the pair to switch in and out of different roles to keep Man City guessing.

Bruno Guimaraes (c) - As above. Unless, of course, Howe does the same man-marking idea that he deployed against Arsenal.

Forwards

Jacob Murphy - The in-form winger is practically undroppable at this point. Although, given the lack of options, he would be were he not in form too.

Alexander Isak - Will it be Isak or Erling Haaland who wins the battle of the strikers?

Anthony Gordon - Always a problem for any opposition.

The bench isn't going to be full of game changers for Eddie Howe this time, but there are still a couple of players who can be relied on to keep things moving in the right direction with fresh legs, and we're sure Callum Wilson will be itching to get on and cause some damage.

Will Osula could actually cause some damage if he's brought on for Jacob Murphy late on. His pace and determination could be a big nuisance for tired legs.