Bruno Guimaraes returns to captain Newcastle United to cup glory - Our predicted Starting Xi to face Bradford City
Newcastle United kick off their defence of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night at home against League One Bradford City live on Sky Sports with a 7:45pm kick-off.
The Bantams currently occupy top spot in League One after getting off to a great start to the season, so they will no doubt be fired up for this one.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are playing decent football but not managing to score many goals. Inconsistencies with the team selection and tactics aren't helping.
Which brings us nicely on to what we believe could be the lineup to take on Bradford. Honestly, we're just making stuff up at this point. After the team selection against Bournemouth, it really is anyone's guess how strong Eddie Howe is going to go with this one. So here's our punt.
Goalkeeper
Aaron Ramsdale - The loanee from Southampton is every bit as good as Nick Pope, and we need to use him at some point. Cup games seem like the best idea.
Defenders
Kieran Trippier - Rested at the weekend, Tripps should be ready to go against Bradford. Although we could see Emil Krafth starting here too.
Malick Thiaw - Another one who could be bumped for Emil Krafth or even Jamaal Lascelles. We'd prefer to see him continue to get more minutes.
Sven Botman - A back four with Botman and Thiaw is the future, so let's start building towards it.
Alex Murphy - Young Murph has been on the fringes for a while, Tino Livramento has earned a rest, and Lewis Hall is still on the comeback trail. It seems like now is as good a time as any to give the Irish lad a start.
Midfielders
Bruno Guimaraes (c) - Bruno sat out the game at Bournemouth. The first one he's missed in 68 matches. He won't want to miss another so soon.
Lewis Miley - Sandro Tonali started at Bournemouth, so it's his turn to rest. Miley is a more natural Tonali replacement than Joe Willock.
Joelinton - Sat on the bench alongside his fellow Brazilian on Sunday and will be ready to go on Wednesday night.
Forwards
Anthony Elanga - There seems to be a rotation going on between Elanga and Jacob Murphy. It's the Swede's turn.
Will Osula - Nick Woltemade is still being wrapped in cotton wool, we feel, so the Danish Under 21 could get a run out against lower league opposition.
Anthony Gordon - After three domestic games out, AG10 will be itching to get going again.
It's fantastic having squad depth, but it doesn't half make predicting lineups that much more difficult. There was a time not too long ago that these articles would practically write themselves; now there's genuine thought that goes into them. And by thought, we mean guesswork because, honestly, Howe's last two teams have thrown us off completely.
