Date:Wednesday 13th December, 2023
Time: 8:00 pm
Stadium St James' Park
Referee Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
Goal Scorer:
Newcastle
Eddie Howe has been without 12 first-team players since the return to club football after November’s international break and has had to start with the same ten outfield players for each of the last five matches, giving Newcastle’s fit players very little respite within that 15-day period. And they look shattered ahead of this must-win tie due to a lack of rotation.
Nick Pope (shoulder), Sven Botman (knee), Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Dan Burn (back), Elliot Anderson (back), Joe Willock (calf), Harvey Barnes (toe), Matt Targett (thigh), and Javi Manquillo (groin) all remain out of action, while Sandro Tonali is suspended for the long term too.
But Sean Longstaff (ankle) and Callum Wilson (thigh) both returned to action from the bench in Sunday’s 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. And the pair is expected to start on Wednesday to give Howe the chance to mix his team up.
It won’t fill Newcastle fans with confidence that there will be no Nick Pope to save their blushes between the sticks, especially after Martin Dubravka’s error-prone displays against Everton and Spurs in the Premier League after being thrown into the deep end.
Influential veteran right-back Kieran Trippier has been one of the Magpies’ best players this season, despite his shoddy performances lately. The Englishman has plenty of experience playing in high-pressure games, which should serve the Magpies’ well.
There should be no changes in the rest of the back four, featuring Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles in the heart of the defence, flanked by marauding left-back Valentino Livramento. 17-year-old Lewis Miley could make way for Longstaff in the middle of the park, with Wilson replacing Alexander Isak up top.
Miguel Almiron has not played in the last few weeks, and he was particularly poor against Spurs at the weekend. But given his fine Champions League form and lack of significant rotation options, he should hold his berth on the right side. Anthony Gordon has been absolutely phenomenal this term and is arguably the hardest worker on the pitch. So, he remains a guaranteed starter on the left.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Dubravka; Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Livramento; Joelinton, Guimaraes, Longstaff; Almiron, Wilson, Gordon
AC Milan
AC Milan’s defensive crisis remains acute, as Malick Thiaw (hamstring) recently joined Pierre Kalulu (tendon), Simon Kjaer (muscle), Marco Pellegrino (heel), and Mattia Caldara on the sidelines, Kjaer is closest to returning but is still set to miss Wednesday’s game.
Noah Okafor (thigh) and Marco Sportiello (calf) are also sidelined. However, in a major boost, Rafael Leao, who has been nursing a thigh issue, is set to be deemed fit for the trip to England. So, Theo Hernandez may continue to fill in alongside Fikayo Tomori as a centre-back, with Alessandro Florenzi likely to cover the French full-back’s spot on the left.
Christian Pulisic got an assist against Atalanta, which means he now has three assists and five goals in 13 Serie A games. However, the USMNT international forward has yet to score or assist in the Champions League this season.
Olivier Giroud has been in fine scoring form, with only Lautaro Martinez scoring more than his eight Serie A goals this season. The 37-year-old Frenchman will undoubtedly spearhead the AC Milan attack on Wednesday.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Hernandez, Florenzi; Loftus-Cheek, Reijnders, Musah; Pulisic, Giroud, Leao
Prediction: Newcastle United 4-3 AC Milan
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