Newcastle United welcome Crystal Palace to St. James' Park on Saturday as they look to put Wednesday's Anfield heartbreak behind them. Eddie Howe has a host of decision to make with fitness concerns plaguing his side.
Bruno Guimaraes and Allan Saint-Maximin are touch and go before the game, while Alexander Isak should be fine to start after a dead leg. Howe also has a selection headache at the back when it comes to his central defence.
Here is how our Chronicle Live writers think Newcastle should line up for the Eagles clash.
Pick your Newcastle United XI to face Crystal Palace with key players ruled out
Aaron Stokes
A few tough calls for Eddie Howe to make on Saturday, some of which depend on the fitness of key men. I wouldn't risk Bruno Guimaraes or Allan Saint-Maximin from the start with the pair said to be 'close' to returning.
It feels so, so wrong to drop Dan Burn after his performances of late but I'd like to see Sven Botman return on the left-side of the defence. Further forward, this is the game to start Elliot Anderson, along with the three forwards that started at Anfield.
Aaron's team: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett; Joelinton, Longstaff, Anderson; Fraser, Almiron, Isak
Lee Ryder
Assuming that Saint-Maximin doesn't make it this is perhaps the ideal game to give Murphy his chance in the front three. The winger hasn't had much of a chance in the Premier League and while he could have done better at Tranmere, his cameos at Wolves and Liverpool demonstrate to me he is giving his all to impress. Isak starts if fit while the time has come for Anderson to get his opportunity from the beginning.
Lee's team: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett, Joelinton, Anderson, Longstaff, Almiron, Murphy, Isak.
Ciaran Kelly
This is a really tough one to call after back-to-back games on the road where Newcastle have been pushed physically. There's also the small matter of Bruno Guimaraes and Allan Saint-Maximin being 'close' to returning, but it is not yet clear just how near a return to action the pair are. I would not risk both from the off, but Bruno has had his boots on this week so, if fit, I would start the Magpies' talisman and give Joe Willock a breather after three starts in a week.
At the back, Fabian Schar and Sven Botman should come back in after sitting out the trip to Liverpool. Dan Burn just edges it over Matt Targett, who was cramping up at Anfield.
Ciaran's team: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Bruno, Longstaff, Joelinton, Almiron, Isak, Fraser
Chris Knight
Eddie Howe has suggested Bruno Guimaraes and Allan Saint-Maximin are both close to a return, but I would not risk either if there are any doubts at all over their fitness. Given the quick turnaround from the defeat at Anfield, I would make three changes for this weekend.
Fabian Schar and Sven Botman should return in the centre of defence. Jamaal Lascelles and Dan Burn performed well against the Reds, but the former are arguably now the first-choice pairing and their ability in possession will prove useful as Newcastle look to take the game to Palace at home.
Elliot Anderson has impressed in several cameos now and this form, along with the testing schedule and injuries, means the academy graduate should be handed his first Premier League start. Joe Willock has started three away matches in the space of a week, and the engine room could do with fresh legs.
Alexander Isak is expected to overcome a dead leg, and should be flanked once more by Miguel Almiron and Ryan Fraser. If Bruno and Saint-Maximin are available from the start, I would drop Sean Longstaff and Almiron to the bench.
Chris' team: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett, Anderson, Joelinton, Longstaff; Almiron, Isak, Fraser
Sean McCormick
Eddie Howe has some difficult decisions to make but if Bruno Guimaraes and Allan Saint-Maximin are fit enough to make the squad, they must start. Newcastle have made a brilliant start to the season but the record books still read just one win from five. A win at home to Palace is paramount to ensure the positive momentum continues and the narrative remains that it has been a strong start to the season rather than dipping towards a mediocre one should they fall to defeat this afternoon.
With that in mind, Howe must go with his star men but also freshen up in key positions. Jamaal Lascelles and Dan Burn put in a mammoth effort at Anfield on Wednesday so it would make sense to switch them with Fabian Schar and Sven Botman. Similarly, the midfield could do with freshening up after a gruelling four matches inside a fortnight and it could be the perfect chance to hand a full St James' Park debut to the ever-improving Elliot Anderson who looks very close to finding his breakthrough moment in the first team.
Sean's team: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett; Guimaraes, Joelinton, Anderson; Almiron, Isak, Saint-Maximin
