Newcastle United predicted line-up vs Leeds: four key changes made amid big Dedic and Fernandez-Pardo calls

Newcastle United head into the latest Premier League gameweek in fine spirits, after booking their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a convincing 1-0 win away to Championship side Millwall. The result saw the Magpies’ impressive unbeaten run to start the campaign extended to five games, with three wins and two draws so far this as they continue to defy their pre-season doubters.

Next up, the Magpies travel to take on Leeds United at Elland Road, which should be a tough test against a Whites side who have also started the season brightly. Newcastle are unbeaten in their last six games against the West Yorkshire side, but haven’t won away at Elland Road since back in 2022, when Jonjo Shelvey’s free-kick earned his side a 1-0 victory.

Heading into Monday night’s big game, Newcastle have one or two injury issues to contend with. Powerful midfielder Joelinton will be out until after the international break, as he continues to battle with a thigh injury. It’s the same story for Dan Burn and William Osula, both of whom have foot injuries.

Backup goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen is expected back soon, but not in time for the trip to Leeds. Star full-back Amar Dedic came off with a thigh injury during Newcastle’s midweek win over Millwall, but manager Matthias Jaissle has insisted that the knock doesn’t look to be too problematic.

Ahead of the Magpies’ 200-mile round-trip to take on Leeds, we’ve had a crack at naming the most likely starting line-up Jaissle will field, as Newcastle look to continue their strong start to the 2026/27 Premier League season.

Will Dedic start against Leeds?

GK - Lukas Hornicek: The towering goalkeeper was one of a host of new summer signings for Newcastle, who had a complete overhaul of both the management team and players in several key positions. Hornicek has had a decent start to his Magpies career, keeping two clean sheets in his opening four games and making a total of 15 saves.

RB - Amar Dedic: Jaissle has kept his cards close to his chest in terms of whether Dedic will start against Leeds. Starting him could be a risk, but going with Tino Livramento could be even riskier, given how long the England international was out for with injury. We have a feeling Dedic will recover from his issue against Millwall in time to get the nod for Elland Road.

CB - Malick Thiaw: After having a rest in midweek with Fabian Schar filling in, Thiaw is expected to return to the starting XI on Monday night. The 25-year-old was arguably Newcastle’s best signing from the 2025/26 campaign, and racked up an impressive 54 appearances in his first season at the club as he became an invaluable part of the defence.

CB - Sven Botman: Looking to forge a rock-solid partnership with Thiaw, Botman will slot in alongside the German giant. Botman is now long past the nightmare cruciate ligament injury that saw him miss much of the 2024/25 season, and is settling in nicely to his fifth season of Premier League football.

LB - Lewis Hall: Newcastle were fielding enquiries for Hall all summer, with Man United desperate to get their hands on the ex-Chelsea prospect. He’s now committed his future to the Magpies by signing a new contract, and will be a pivotal figure on the field as the encouraging start to the Jaissle era continues.

Newcastle predicted XI vs Leeds: midfield and attack

CM - Nico Gonzalez: What a bit of business this has turned out to be for Newcastle. Having lost both Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes from their engine room, the rebuild was always going to be tough, but Gonzalez has slotted into the midfield with ease since joining from Man City. He’ll be one of the first names of the teamsheet against Leeds.

CM - Lewis Miley: The aforementioned exodus of midfielders has presented a prime opportunity to the Newcastle academy gem, and Jaissle has been full of praise for the 20-year-old who continues to impress with his ability to control play and retain possession against top level opposition.

AMR - Anthony Elanga: After a dismal 2025/26 season, Elanga looks reborn under his new manager, and has started the Premier League season with two goals in three appearances - including the competition’s Goal of the Month which was netted in the Magpies’ impressive 2-0 win away to Tottenham Hotspur last month.

AMC - Yoane Wissa: The central attacking areas of Newcastle’s XI against Leeds look the most uncertain, with a number of possibilities open to Jaissle. Given how notoriously physical Monday’s opposition are, we have a feeling that powerhouse forward Wissa may be deployed in the number ten position.

AML - Harvey Barnes: We may see Newcastle win that Goal of the Month award for September too, after the two-cap England international scored an absolute peach against Bournemouth last weekend. He’ll start on the left again against Leeds, and will look to cause their right-back Jayden Bogle all kinds of problems throughout the match.

ST - Matias Fernandez-Pardo: Jaissle has been coy on whether Fernandez-Pardo will get his first start for Newcastle on Monday, suggesting a decision may not be made until the day of the game itself. With Wissa potentially dropping back behind the striker, we expect Newcastle’s £51m new centre-forward to lead the line.

Newcastle United predicted line-up vs Leeds: Hornicek; Dedic, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Gonzalez, Miley; Elanga, Wissa, Barnes; Fernandez-Pardo.

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