Eddie Howe to make seven Newcastle changes in dead rubber Champions League clash with Qarabag
Newcastle United return to the comfort of St. James Park to face Qarabag FK in the second leg of the Champions League play-off.
There will be pride at stake on Tyneside later tonight, but very little danger.
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The Magpies return home to complete the formalities of their Champions League play-off against Qarabag after knocking out tonight’s visitors 6-1 in the first leg in Azerbaijan.
Eddie Howe’s side were ruthless away. They turned the tie into a one-sided game in a remarkable 90 minutes, with Anthony Gordon in charge.
Despite struggling to make a real impact in the Premier League, Gordon has been a different beast in the Champions League this season.
The England international produced a performance that will go down in the history books after becoming the first Newcastle player to score four goals in a single Champions League match.
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He also scored the fastest hat-trick by an English player in the Champions League, taking his tally to 10 goals for the campaign, which is a new club record in Europe’s premier tournament.
Malick Thiaw and Jacob Murphy added their names to the scoresheet as Newcastle tore apart their opponents with pace and precision.
Having already finished the job in Azerbaijan, it will take Newcastle the mother of all capitulations to dump him at St. James’ Park.
How Newcastle could line up
Howe could take the opportunity to give several of his big hitters a break during tonight’s midweek action, meaning the Magpies could welcome Qarabag with a second-string lineup.
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Aaron Ramsdale is expected to replace Nick Pope in goal, while Sven Botman and Alex Murphy, who is set to make his Champions League debut, come into the XI to partner Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn in defence.
Joelinton is also likely to return to the XI in place of Jacob Ramsey while Sandro Tonali and Joe Willock resume their roles in midfield.
Qarabag can expect to face a completely new frontline with Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy supporting striker William Osula.
