Full debut for summer signing while local hero misses out - Our predicted lineup as Newcastle United take on Aston Villa
Aston Villa host Newcastle United on Saturday lunchtime with a 12:30pm kick-off at Villa Park live on TNT Sports.
Newcastle United have to banish the demons of their horrendous summer, which saw them fail to pick up a single win in their pre-season programme except for a 4-0 win over Carlisle United behind closed doors.
The transfer window hasn't been kind to Newcastle either, as the gulf between Newcastle and the 'Big Six' became shockingly apparent.
On top of that, Alexander Isak has been doing his best to disrupt the harmony within the squad. All of this is to say that the odds are stacked against Newcastle tomorrow, but Eddie Howe won't let his players use anything as an excuse.
As for how we think Howe will set up his side, we're sticking with the tried and true 4-3-3 for this one.
Goalkeeper
Nick Pope - The new recipient of the No. 1 jersey, Pope is clearly Eddie Howe's first choice despite the arrival of Aaron Ramsdale.
Defenders
Kieran Trippier - Tripps looked like one of Newcastle's sharpest players in pre-season and we feel he's earned the right to start tomorrow.
Fabian Schar - Fabi probably knows that with Malick Thiaw's arrival, his place is under threat, but it's probably too soon to throw the German in from the start.
Sven Botman - No place for Dan Burn despite his heroics last season, as Sven Botman is back to fitness. It stung not putting the big man in the side.
Tino Livramento - Lewis Hall is still building up his fitness, so for now, Tino will start on the left and Tripps on the right, but we expect that to change later in the campaign.
Midfielders
Bruno Guimaraes (c) - El Capitan has his work cut out for him keeping the players geared up amid Alexander Isak's antics, but if anyone can do it, it's Bruno and his beaming smile.
Sandro Tonali - The midfield trio didn't play a single game together in pre-season, but they were impeccable last campaign. Hopefully, they pick up where they left off with Tonali pulling the strings.
Joelinton - J7 is back. We have missed this big mad head in the middle of the park, causing chaos.
Forwards
Anthony Elanga - A full debut for the lightning-quick winger who looked fired up in pre-season. Let's see if he can add to his pre-season goal.
Anthony Gordon - It makes us shudder having to put Gordon through the middle, but it's a necessary evil for now.
Harvey Barnes - Looked sharp in pre-season and always has an eye for goal, so could be the man to look to for those, while we have no striker.
We expect we'll see a debut for Malick Thiaw at some point, and we hope that Will Osula will get some minutes as we need to build his confidence this season.
It's not going to be a comfortable watch tomorrow, but while the odds are stacked against us, we've overcome bigger.
