NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 2: Erik ten Hag the head coach / manager of Manchester United and Eddie Howe the head coach / manager of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St. James Park on December 2, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Newcastle United’s biggest match of the season is set to take place on Wednesday night at St James’ Park when they take on AC Milan in our final Champions League group stage match.
Eddie Howe’s team still has hope that they can make it to the next round and finish second in the Champions League group of death, so there is still everything to play for.
When the draw was made, it didn’t seem like Newcastle would have a chance, but a draw in Paris would still allow the Magpies to advance.
Howe’s team needs to win and hope that PSG doesn’t defeat Borussia Dortmund, but AC Milan is aware that a victory would also advance them to the next round.
This is the Newcastle squad that we believe Eddie Howe will select to take on AC Milan in this massive match.
Newcastle needs to play strong defense.
We will need to play just as well at St. James’ Park as Newcastle did when they played AC Milan at the San Siro in September.
The backline from the team that played in Italy, though, will be substantially different. None of the injured Dan Burn, Sven Botman, or Nick Pope will be present. Tino Livramento, Jamaal Lascelles, and Martin Dubravka will take their place.
Howe needs his defenders to be heroes because, at worst, a clean sheet will send us to the Europa League. After all, a draw is good enough for third place.
Starting against AC Milan is Sean Longstaff.
Now that players are starting to recover from injuries, Howe can finally make changes to his starting lineup.
After recovering from an ankle injury sustained in the 4-1 loss to Tottenham, Sean Longstaff is expected to start against AC Milan.
Lewis Miley, the “little superstar,” will probably be left on the bench if Longstaff does get the start.
Since joining the team, the 17-year-old has performed admirably, and he excelled against PSG on his first Champions League start.
However, Newcastle could benefit greatly from Longstaff’s experience, and they also need new blood.
Premier League game between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United
Newcastle’s Callum Wilson is on the bench.
Callum Wilson is another player that Newcastle has recovered from an injury. He will serve as Alexander Isak’s backup, who is expected to stay in the starting lineup.
That gives Howe a huge boost, and if Newcastle is chasing a goal in the second half, he might want to start Wilson and Isak together.
At least Howe has some options on hand for the first time in weeks.
Against AC Milan, the predicted starting lineup is as follows: Dubravka, Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Livramento; Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
