da supremo： Newcastle travel to Hull for the quarter-final of the League Cup tonight as they continue their quest to win the trophy for the first time in their history.
da apostebet： The Magpies are in excellent form having lost just one of their last ten matches and find themselves top of the Championship with 40 points from 18 matches.
They also have a decent recent record against the Tigers – they’re undefeated in their last three match-ups with two of them being away wins.
Unfortunately for Rafa Benitez’s side, they have a poor history in the League Cup quarter-finals, having progressed to the semis just once from eight last eight ties.
Determination and application will be required if they are going to transfer their league form into the cup, while team selection will also be key if they are to prove they are still a side with Premier League quality.
What team will Benitez and his coaching staff go for? And what will it mean for the match-up?
This is our XI that we feel Newcastle must field if they are to get a result vs. Hull…
GK: Karl Darlow
The Newcastle goalkeeper has had to fight for his place in the side, but having made the spot his own despite competition from Matz Sels, his form has been excellent.
The Magpies have kept three clean sheets in the competition so far this season, more than any other side. A Man of the Match performance away at Leeds a couple of weeks ago from Darlow will give travelling Newcastle fans hope they can pick up a result.
RB: Vurnon Anita
Traditionally a holding midfielder, Vurnon Anita has come into his own deputising at right-back this season, playing a key part in Newcastle’s rise to the top of the Championship table.
The Dutch international is also set to make his 140th appearance for the Magpies since joining from Ajax in 2012, making him one of the most experienced members of the squad.
CB: Jamaal Lascelles
Being Newcastle captain at the age of just 23 and having made less than 50 appearances for the club is a testament to the character and leadership ability of Jamaal Lascelles.
His performances this season have been rock solid and consistent, setting the benchmark for his team-mates to get the wins week in, week out. If he plays to the best of his ability, Hull will struggle to make their mark on the Magpies’ backline.
CB: Ciaran Clark
No nonsense defender Ciaran Clark has struck a formidable partnership with his captain in recent months and together they’ve kept four clean sheets in their last eight games.
Clark made over 140 Premier League appearances for Aston Villa before moving to Newcastle and certainly has the ability to play in the division. Under Benitez, he’s found consistency and has even chipped in a with couple of goals of his own.
DL: Paul Dummett
Local boy Paul Dummett may not have all the natural ability in the world but what he gives this Newcastle side is commitment and determination, two qualities that will be vital in a fiercely contested midweek cup clash.
He’s been almost ever-present this season, playing in 17 of the 18 matches so far, showing how important he is to Benitez and this side.
RM: Matt Ritchie
Having made the switch from Bournemouth in the summer, Scotland international Matt Ritchie is enjoying his football in the division he made a name for himself in two years ago.
The midfielder has already scored two goals in this tournament this season and will be one Newcastle’s key attacking threats, albeit he’ll be up against a tough opponent in the returning Andrew Robertson.
CM: Jonjo Shelvey
Jonjo Shelvey has become an integral part of Benitez’s side and at the age of just 24 appears to be maturing into a fine midfielder indeed.
His energy and ability to drive his team forward will be key in what we’re expecting to be a pulsating cup tie. On his night, his passing can split most defences open.
He’s already chipped in with three goals and five assists this season and looks set to contribute many more of each in what could be one of his finest seasons to date.
CM: Jack Colback
Jack Colback’s metronomic qualities in midfield will be key to getting a result in what could be a scrappy, frantic affair.
The Black Cat turned Magpie is a good foil for Shelvey, giving his midfield partner the license to roam forward with creativity while he protects his defence and links cycles of play.
If he plays and Newcastle can get him on the ball he can dictate the game and although his performances of later have been not as consistent as usual, on his night can be a real asset to this side.
LM: Yoan Gouffran
With over 400 career professional appearances, Yoan Gouffran is one of Newcastle’s most experienced players, and he just so happens to be a player who can win a match on his own.
Having what is potentially one of his best seasons in black and white, Gouffran has scored four and set up three in the 16 matches he’s played this season.
That ability, coupled with the experience of winning the League Cup in France, is why we’re picking him in this line-up.
CF: Ayoze Perez
We’ve gone with Ayoze Perez to play off a central striker because not only does he have the attacking ability, he’s also a player with excellent awareness and the determination to track back and put in a defensive shift, something which could be key playing away to a Premier League side.
Perez has had some memorable performances this season, most notably in the 6-0 thrashing away to QPR and at home to Ipswich, when he scored two and set up another.
ST: Dwight Gayle
This is an obvious choice for us. No other striker in the Championship is performing as well as him and he’s giving most in the Premier League a run for their money as well.
With 13 goals in 13 league games this season, he’s the man who’s fired Newcastle to the top of the tree and is the man that Hull will be worrying about should he start tonight.
Is he the player who can lead Newcastle to only their second League Cup semi-final? Maybe.