[Image] Predicted 4-2-3-1 Newcastle United XI to face Cardiff – can the Magpies get a much-needed win?

Predicted Newcastle United line-up to face Cardiff in the Premier League

Newcastle United will welcome relegation-threatened rivals Cardiff City to St. James’ Park in what will be a crucial game for both teams on Saturday.

The Magpies qualified for the fourth round of the FA Cup after beating Blackburn Rovers 4-2 on Tuesday. The FA Cup victory should give Rafael Benitez’s men a lot of confidence ahead of the weekend game.

But Newcastle United will have to be wary of Cardiff City, who have kept three clean sheets in the last five games.

Team News

Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark could miss the weekend game. Mohamed Diame and Jonjo Shelvey remain doubtful but Yoshinori Muto, Paul Dummett and Karl Darlow have been ruled out of the game.

Probable Newcastle United XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Manager: Rafael Benitez

Martin Dubravka (GK)

Dubravka is Newcastle’s No.1 in goal and he’ll look to keep a clean sheet against Cardiff.

DeAndre Yedlin (RB)

Pacey and agile, Yedlin will look to drive forward from the right and help his team in the attack as much as possible.

Federico Fernandez (CB)

Fernandez is a strong, powerful central defender who’ll look to keep things tight at the back.

Florian Lejeune (CB)

Lejeune is comfortable playing out from the back and initiating attacks from the deep. He is certain to come back into the starting XI after sitting out of the Blackburn game.

Matt Ritchie (LB)

Ritchie has been decent in a makeshift left-back role but he’ll have to be wary of Josh Murphy’s pace.

Sean Longstaff (CM)

Longstaff has done very well in the last two games he has played for Newcastle United. He’ll be itching to start against Cardiff.

Isaac Hayden (CM)

Partnering Longstaff in the middle of the park should be Hayden, who might be tasked with keeping Camarasa quiet on Saturday.

Jacob Murphy (RW)

Murphy will look to terrorise the Cardiff backline with his explosive pace and clever movement.

Ayoze Perez (CAM)

Perez has been utterly poor this season but a goal in the FA Cup win over Blackburn should give him some confidence.

Christian Atsu (LW)

Atsu has been Newcastle’s liveliest player of late. His work rate, energy and blistering pace make him an asset to have in the team.

Read more: Go for it Rafa – This 27-year-old could be the answer to Newcastle’s left-back woes

Salomon Rondon (ST)

Rondon is the Magpies’ chief source of goals and he will start at the weekend against Neil Warnock’s side.