Newcastle United avenged Sunday’s defeat at Chelsea with an excellent 2-0 win at St James’ Park in the Carabao Cup in midweek. 

The Magpies scored the opener after 23 minutes when Alexander Isak struck from close range. 

The Tyneside club soon doubled their advantage when Axel Disasi inadvertently put the ball into his own net. 

Chelsea tried to make a comeback but Newcastle held out to seal an excellent home victory. 

Eddie Howe’s men now turn their attention to the Premier League where they will welcome Arsenal to St James’ Park for a blockbuster fixture. 

Predicted Newcastle United XI vs Arsenal 

Nick Pope is the Magpies’ number one goalkeeper this season and he will start in Saturday’s big game. 

In front of the experienced goalie, we are expecting two changes to the backline that played last time. Fringe ace Emil Krafth produced a solid display against Chelsea, but Howe may opt to bring back Tino Livramento at right-back. 

Lloyd Kelly also did well in his previous outing but it feels like Dan Burn, who arrived at the club in 2022 for £13 million, will return to partner Fabian Schar in central defence. 

Howe made a big change against Chelsea as he started Sandro Tonali as a defensive midfielder. That decision paid off and the Italian is expected to start as a number six once again. 

This means that Bruno Guimaraes will feature as a left-sided central midfielder, with Sean Longstaff playing on the opposite side. 

However, the English boss is unlikely to make any changes to the front-three that played against the Blues in midweek. Isak should spearhead their attack, with Anthony Gordon and Joelinton operating on the wings. 

Newcastle Predicted XI: Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Longstaff, Tonali, Bruno; Gordon, Isak, Joelinton.