Sven Botman comes in and Joelinton misses out - Our predicted Newcastle United XI to face Arsenal on Wednesday night

Newcastle United take on Arsenal at St James' Park on Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg. Kick-off is 8pm live on Sky Sports.

Eddie Howe's side carry a two-goal advantage in the second leg but have to be on their guard against complacency, especially with Arsenal looking to inflict a heavy defeat on the Magpies.

Joelinton is a doubt for the game with a knee problem so we've opted against throwing him our starting XI. He'll likely be on the bench and used if needed.

We also believe Sven Botman will replace Fabian Schar at the back. The Swiss defender has looked a bit off in the last couple of games, and this is the type of match that has Botman's name all over it.

Goalkeeper

Martin Dubravka - I had expected Eddie Howe to bring Nick Pope back into the fold for this one but was overruled in the office. I'd personally keep Dubravka, too, but just had a feeling that Howe would bring his number 1 back for this game.

Defenders

Tino Livramento - Earlier discussions in Feed Towers had us speculating over a Kieran Trippier return with it being such a big game, but what kind of message does that send to Tino?

Sven Botman - We're still not over Fabian Schar ducking under the ball for that disallowed Southampton goal if we're being honest. Time to step up, Sven.

Dan Burn - As part of the Trippier discussions there was talk of pushing Burn out to left-back and going with the back-four that did so well two seasons ago. But we decided against it.

Lewis Hall - He and Tino have both been a bit shaky lately hence the discussion of going back to the old guard, although who hasn't been shaky lately?

Midfielders

Bruno Guimaraes (c) - Bruno actually had a decent game against Fulham and we need our Captain going at full tilt against Arsenal to get the job done.

Sandro Tonali - We had to criticise Tonali at the weekend for sloppy passing of all things. Let's hope he's got his head on right now.

Sean Longstaff - With Joelinton not at 100%, Longy makes the most sense to come in. Joe Willock is too attacking and has been poor lately and Lewis Miley lacks the experience for this level of pressure.

Forwards

Jacob Murphy - Officially our only option at right-wing. Thankfully he's still scoring and providing so it's not a worry.

Alexander Isak - We need him in the game more on Wednesday. Smashing goals in against Arsenal has to have a tinge of joy about it now amid all the speculation, too.

Anthony Gordon - Another one who has been shaky lately. The problem is that Gordon sets the bar so high that when he's not on it, it's blindingly obvious.

Joelinton, Joe Willock and Lewis Miley will all be in reserve should they be needed. There's even talk of Callum Wilson being fit. Imagine that!

Kieran Trippier will also be on hand if more leadership is required later on.

I honestly never thought I'd be this nervous going into this game with a two-goal lead in the pocket but we've been so far from our best lately and Arsenal's 5-1 thumping of Man City is pure nightmare fuel.