Newcastle United return to Champions League action tonight, taking on a Marseille side flying high in Ligue 1 but struggling in Europe, having lost three of their four games so far.
We arrive with three straight wins in the league phase, beating Union SG, Benfica and Athletic Bilbao without conceding a goal, and boosted by our 2-1 victory over Man City on Saturday.
One massive boost over the weekend was the return of first-choice full-backs Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, although it’s unclear if either will be able to start two games in four days after just recovering from injuries.
Our view is that Tino will be able to go again, and may need to with Kieran Trippier out. However, we expect Howe to save Hall for Everton given the 21-year-old went off with cramp against Man City, showing signs of a player who has had so few starts in 2025 and two injuries to overcome.
So, who starts if Hall is saved for Saturday and what are the options?
Option 1 is Dan Burn comes back in at left-back, with Livramento remaining at right-back, which may be needed with Trippier ruled out. Burn has started here in our last three Champions League games which we’ve won to nil, but playing the 33-year-old against Ligue 1 top scorer Mason Greenwood feels like asking for trouble.
Option 2 is Livramento comes in at left-back to tackle dangerman Greenwood, meaning one of Emil Krafth or Malick Thiaw starts at right-back in Trippier’s absence.
Option 3 is Burn at left-back and one of Krafth or Thiaw at right-back, meaning a night off for Hall and Livramento. Far from ideal, but one Howe may consider if he wants to protect both young full-backs for Everton.
Option 4 is we switch to a back five, using Livramento and Murphy as wing-backs and bringing at least two of Burn, Schar and Botman back into the side.
Personally, I’d like to see Livramento at left-back to nullify their biggest threat in Greenwood, with one of Krafth or Thiaw at right-back.