Newcastle United predicted line-up vs Nottingham Forest - two changes made with £40m defender set to start

After the euphoria of reaching the Carabao Cup final and the excitement of progressing to the fifth round of the FA Cup, Newcastle United’s return to Premier League action was one to forget as they suffered a 4-0 thumping away to Manchester City.

Defensively the Magpies produced a catalogue of errors to allow City’s Omar Marmoush to run riot at the Etihad as the marquee January arrival netted a hat-trick inside the space of 15 minutes.

“We were not at our best,” Said Eddie Howe. "Goals change games, and the goal we conceded early was a tough one for us. All the goals we conceded today we will look back on with frustration. It becomes difficult when you chase the game today, really tough.They ask so many questions of you, put you under pressure. They did not have a bundle of chances but they did what they needed to do.

"It's about growing for the next games and learning from today. When you come back into these arenas, fare better, that's the challenge."

Howe admitted Newcastle’s league season would be over if they spend the whole of the next month thinking solely about the Carabao Cup final and he will be urging his players to produce a much-more exuberant and enthusiastic performance when they host Nottingham Forest in another game which will have a profound effect on the team’s pursuit of Champions League football.

Ahead of a highly-anticipated affair at St James’ Park, we take a look at how Newcastle are likely to line-up and the changes that Eddie Howe could make.

Goalkeeper and defenders

Despite conceding four at the Etihad, Martin Dubravka is expected to keep his spot in goal after usurping Nick Pope in the pecking order. The Slovakia international recently signed a contract extension with the club to put to bed any rumours of a switch to Saudi Arabia.

At right-back, Kieran Trippier was a long way from his best was subbed off at half time against Manchester City and it is likely the former England international will make way for £40m signing Tino Livramento after a substandard showing.

The experienced Dan Burn is expected to keep his place at centre-back alongside Fabian Schar, with Emil Krafth providing cover from the subs bench. Highly-rated defender Sven Botman only recent returned from an ACL injury, but has since suffered a knee injury.

Howe explained, via Newcastle World: “Don’t think (Sven Botman will) be fit and available for this weekend. We’re going to have to see how things stand for next weekend. He’s making progress. He’s making good progress. Just not as quickly as we would have wanted. He’s on track, just not quite ready.”

Lewis Hall has been Newcastle’s undisputed first-choice left-back throughout the season and is expected to keep his place ahead of Matt Targett.

Midfield and Attack

Club captain Bruno Guimaraes and Italy international Sandro Tonali are both expected to play an important role in the middle of the park to try and keep the likes of Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White at bay. However, Joe Willock, who struggled against Man City could be dropped in favour of youngster Lewis Miley, who made a strong impression on Howe when coming on from the bench.

Speaking about Miley, Howe said: "I think he's very much in and around that [midfield] position at the moment. I think his performance against Manchester City, as you say, was probably the one big positive to take from the game because there wasn't many.

"He approached the game in a way that really we should have done from the start. He was brave in both phases, aggressive, off the ball, brave on the ball. Fearless in his approach and I thought he played very strongly."

In attack, Anthony Gordon is expected to start on the left-wing ahead of the returning Harvey Barnes while top scorer Alexander Isak is likely to lead the line ahead of Callum Wilson who has also had a long injury lay off. Following the sale of Miguel Almiron, Jacob Murphy is Newcastle’s only option on the right-wing and he will hope to add to his tally of four goals and eight assists in the league this term.

Newcastle United predicted XI: Dubravka, Hall, Burn, Schar, Livramento, Guimaraes, Tonali, Miley, Gordon, Isak, Murphy.