Boxing Day is here, and the only Premier League fixture taking place is Newcastle United’s trip to Old Trafford.

So, no action-packed day full of top-flight football, but a huge game in our bid to get back up that table and respond positively from that encouraging yet frustrating 2-2 draw with Chelsea last weekend against a Man Utd side missing several key players.

But who will start when the team sheets are released at 6.45pm? Here’s the side we’re backing Eddie Howe to go with and why…

Predicted line-up

(4-3-3): Pope – Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall – Bruno, Tonali, Ramsey – Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.

Nick Pope has recovered from a groin injury and we have reason to believe he’ll be back in the squad tonight.

Some will say Aaron Ramsdale deserves another start, but we’re backing Pope to come back into Howe’s team. His sweeper-keeper qualities could be key, and he’s bigger from crosses and he’s a better shot-stopper, with Ramsdale looking small in goal for both of Chelsea’s goals last week

Goalkeeper aside, I think we’ll see the same side who started that 2-2 draw with Chelsea.

We blew them away in every department during that electric first half last weekend, and there has been a six-day gap between that match and our trip to Old Trafford, giving Howe little need to rotate from a fatigue point of view

I think the boss will trust the same side to go again, knowing there is Wissa, Barnes, Elanga, Joelinton and Willock in reserve the changes things in the second half if needed.

A fit-again Joelinton may be one to watch, but Ramsey is hitting his stride and needs consistent games to grow into this team, while further changes are limited with Livramento, Botman, Burn, Trippier, Krafth and Osula still absent.