Carabao Cup final, Newcastle Utd analysis: Predicted line-up and score prediction
Newcastle United face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday with one eye on ending a near 70-year wait for a major trophy.
Eddie Howe’s side will, however, have to overcome the runaway Premier League leaders without the services of key men Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall.
On the other hand, Liverpool were surprisingly knocked out of the Champions League in midweek and are sure to use that as motivation to land Arne Slot his first trophy on Merseyside.
Sports News Blitz writer Dylan Richardson takes a look at Newcastle’s chances at Wembley.
Newcastle team news
Gordon’s red card against Brighton means he misses the Magpies’ biggest game of the season, while Hall is out for the foreseeable future after having surgery on an ankle injury.
Sven Botman is also unavailable for the game on Sunday, having had surgery on his knee, with the 25-year-old expected to be sidelined for the next eight weeks.
His squad already quite thin, manager Eddie Howe will have some key decisions to make in terms of both personnel and tactics.
During his time at Newcastle, Howe has predominantly set his team up in a 4-3-3, but this year he has adopted a more defensive 5-4-1 approach in games that they are expected to be under a lot of pressure in.
That has led to a debate amongst fans over which tactical set-up is more suitable at Wembley this weekend.
READ MORE: Carabao Cup final, Liverpool analysis: Team news and predicted line-up
The goalkeeper situation
Nick Pope started the season as a comfortable number one for the Magpies but, after missing two and a half months through injury, he has been forced to split games with Martin Dubravka of late.
In Pope’s 21 matches in all competitions this season, he has kept just five clean sheets.
His save percentage has also taken a big hit, saving a middling 69% of shots faced – lower than Dubravka.
The 35-year-old Slovak is furthermore a much better passer, completing 21.1 passes per 90 minutes in comparison to Pope’s 14.4.
If you asked most Newcastle fans at the start of the season who they would start in goal for a cup final, Pope would have been the only answer.
Yet, with two days to go until the big day, there is now a debate to be had.
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Left-wing conundrum
With first-choice winger Gordon suspended, who gets to start on the left is the biggest decision for Howe to make.
Really, there are only two options to replace the 23-year-old: Harvey Barnes or Joelinton.
The individual strengths and weaknesses of the pair are so different, so the choice will likely be made from a tactical point of view.
For a more cautious approach, Joelinton is the perfect option, making 3.4 tackles and interceptions per game.
Barnes would be a more natural replacement for Gordon, though, as he averages a goal or assist every 129 minutes in the league.
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Howe’s predicted line-up
While Liverpool have been the most unstoppable team in England this season, only losing once in the league, PSG showed everyone on Tuesday night that the table-toppers are there for the taking, so the standard 4-3-3 could be the best option for the Magpies.
Howe is likely to start Pope in goal seeing as he has been the number one lately.
With Hall, Botman, and Jamaal Lascelles all missing, a back four of Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, and Tino Livramento speaks for itself.
The midfield will definitely consist of Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali. Unless Joelinton is chosen to start on the wing, the 28-year-old Brazilian will probably complete the midfield three.
Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy are shoo-ins, with Harvey Barnes the final piece of the puzzle for the Magpies.
Score prediction: Newcastle United 1-2 Liverpool
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