Newcastle United welcome Manchester City to St. James' Park on Sunday hoping to pull off a big upset against the Premier League champions. The Magpies have started well this term, with a win and a draw in their opening two games.
City will provide a totally different test altogether as they travel up north in the hope of making it three wins from three in the league. Pep Guardiola has a plethora of superstars to call on, including huge talent Erling Haaland.
So, how do Newcastle stop City and their world-class stars? Here is how Eddie Howe's team should line up on Sunday afternoon, according to our writers.
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Aaron Stokes
A huge call for Eddie Howe to make in defence, in my opinion. It feels wrong to have to drop one of Newcastle's in-form defenders - but I think Sven Botman drops to the bench if Matt Targett is back fit.
Dan Burn has had a fine start to the season alongside Fabian Schar. I think Howe will stick with four in defence. As for further up the pitch, I'd like to see Sean Longstaff given a go over Joe Willock.
Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron will more than likely be the front three as the Magpies seek attacking options in the transfer market.
Aaron's team: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett; Guimaraes, Joelinton, Longstaff; Almiron, ASM, Wilson.
Lee Ryder
Presuming that Matt Targett is passed fit on match day Howe’s defensive selection seems to be relatively straight forward.
Whether he decides to make a tweak in midfield remains to be seen but if he does Sean Longstaff may be entrusted to act as one of the holding midfielders.
Longstaff will be keen for a rerun of the victory over Manchester City in 2019 when he played a key role against Pep Guardiola’s side and was then praised by the former Barcelona boss. Howe’s front three seems to pick itself.
Lee's team: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett, Bruno, Joelinton, S Longstaff, Saint-Maximin, Wilson, Almiron.
Ciaran Kelly
If Matt Targett is fit - Newcastle will make a very late call on the defender - I would start the left-back as Newcastle need a specialist in that position up against either Phil Foden or Riyad Mahrez. As tempting as it is to switch to a back five, I would resist doing so as Newcastle may be a little too defensive as a result and invite unnecessary pressure.
That means there is a huge call to make at left-sided centre-back given how impressive Sven Botman was on his full debut at Brighton last week. However, for me, Dan Burn just edges it for a game of this magnitude because of his vast experience in the Premier League and his sold partnership with Fabian Schar.
There will come a time very soon where Botman will start games against the league's best sides, but continuing to ease the new signing in won't do him any harm in the short-term.
Ciaran's team: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett; Bruno, Willock, Joelinton; Almiron, Wilson, Saint-Maximin
Sean McCormick
The only change I'd make is to bring Matt Targett back into the XI if he is passed fit and shift Dan Burn back into centre-half alongside Sven Botman. The Dutchman did enough against Brighton to earn another start and I feel Botman and Burn are more trustworthy, defensively, against a team with the attacking firepower Man City possess.
I considered whether Newcastle may switch to a back five, as a result, but I don't think it's quite in Howe's nature to sacrifice Newcastle's success in transition using his preferred 4-3-3 formation.
Sean's team: Pope; Trippier, Botman, Burn, Targett; Guimaraes, Willock, Joelinton; Almiron, Saint-Maximin; Wilson
Stuart Jamieson
If Matt Targett is still out then United have to stay the same as the draw at Brighton. However, if the left-back is deemed fit, then Eddie Howe has some decisions to make. Targett would have to return to his usual role, but could that tempt the United boss to switch to a back three with Trippier and Targett at full-backs?
I'm not sure that would be the right move against a City side who will look to dominate midfield, but it's an option. Presuming Targett is back, I think it could be Fabian Schar who misses out, in what would be a harsh blow for the Swiss defender. United need something else up front - I said last week Ryan Fraser should maybe get a chance but a back injury ruled him out. If he's fit then he remains a good shout, although Almiron's workrate could well swing it against City's free-flowing football. One change I would make is Sean Longstaff in for Joe Willock.
Stuart's team: Pope; Trippier, Botman, Burn, Targett; Guimaraes, Longstaff, Joelinton; Almiron, Saint-Maximin; Wilson.
