Newcastle are at home for the festivities as they face Aston Villa in what’s set to be a cracking Boxing Day Premier League clash.
The Magpies remain a stern force at St. James’ Park and they head into Thursday’s game with the wind in their sails. Eddie Howe’s side have scored 16 times in their previous five outings and a December upsurge means they sit eighth in the table at Christmas. A Carabao Cup semi-final with Arsenal also beckons in the new year.
Aston Villa followed in Newcastle’s footsteps by enjoying a return to the Champions League following their fourth-place finish last season. Unai Emery’s side have their work cut out if they’re to repeat their 2023/24 performance, but a 2-1 victory which compounded Manchester City’s misery on Saturday means they’re up to sixth in the table.
Surprise package Nottingham Forest are just three points better off than the Villans in fourth, but Newcastle will usurp their Boxing Day opponents with another win on Tyneside.
Sven Botman is on the comeback trail from an ACL tear having enjoyed run-outs for the U21s, but the centre-back isn’t expected to make his full senior return until the new year.
Jamaal Lascelles is also recovering from a similar injury, but the Englishman is not quite as far along in his rehabilitation.
Joelinton and Nick Pope are both doubts after missing Saturday’s win at Portman Road, while Callum Wilson and Emil Krafth remain on the sidelines due to respective hamstring and collarbone injuries.
Howe should retain the front three which has fired on all cylinders over the past month. Anthony Gordon has been a consistent presence down the right, Alexander Isak bagged a hat-trick at the weekend, while Jacob Murphy has suddenly found his scoring boots after a slow start to the season.
Newcastle lineup vs Aston Villa (4-4-1-1): Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
Aston Villa lineup vs Newcastle (4-3-3): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Onana, Tielemans; McGinn, Duran, Rogers.
