Steur in, Willock out: Newcastle predicted lineup vs Fulham

Sean Steur has made the loudest case for a start, Jacob Ramsey is suspended and Lewis Miley is back. Matthias Jaissle has plenty to think about before Saturday’s trip to Craven Cottage.

Newcastle United travel to Fulham on Saturday 7 November (3pm UK time) for the last game before the international break. They have lost four of their last five, sit 13th on 11 points, and were beaten by Everton twice in four days, 3-1 in the League Cup and then 1-0 at St James’ Park on Monday night.

After that second defeat, Jaissle said his players had not followed the game plan, and the fans booed them off. Something has to change in London, and we think the change comes in midfield.

Newcastle predicted lineup vs Fulham

Newcastle predicted lineup vs Fulham (4-3-3): Horníček; Dedić, Schär, Burn, Hall; Joelinton, González, Steur; Elanga, Osula, Barnes

Lukáš Horníček: one mistake does not cost him the shirt

Horníček let Tyrique George’s shot squirm under him for Thierno Barry’s winner on Monday, and it was his second costly error after the spill that led to a penalty at Coventry. Nick Pope is on the bench, but Dan Burn has publicly backed the keeper and we expect Jaissle to do the same. With Jaouen, the young French keeper, out with a hamstring injury until mid-December, there is little appetite for a goalkeeping change.

Amar Dedić: right-back is his again

Dedić is fit and started on Monday. Tino Livramento is closing in on a return from his knee problem, but Newcastle are being careful, and the Arsenal game after the break looks more realistic for him.

Fabian Schär and Dan Burn: the only pairing that makes sense

Schär and Burn started both Everton games and remain Jaissle’s first choices, with Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw on the bench. Burn captains the side.

Lewis Hall: the outlet down the left

Hall was one of Newcastle’s few creative sparks on Monday, with 17 passes into the final third, second only to Steur. He keeps his place.

Joelinton: the vice-captain stays

Joelinton came back into the side against Everton and was Newcastle’s most willing shooter in the first half, with one effort blocked by James Tarkowski and another drilled just wide from 20 yards. His energy is needed in a game Newcastle cannot afford to lose.

Nico González: still the one Jaissle trusts

González is the midfielder least likely to be dropped. The catch is that Jaissle has reportedly felt he and Steur are too similar to play side by side in a two, which is why we see a switch to three in midfield as the way to fit both in.

Sean Steur: why the 18-year-old should start

Steur came on in the 64th minute against Everton and made 20 passes into the final third in about 26 minutes, more than anyone else in black and white and twice as many as González. He was also man of the match against Hull in September. He goes forward first and keeps the ball well, exactly what a side that has struggled to create chances needs. Joe Willock is the one who makes way.

Anthony Elanga: keeping his place after hitting the post

Elanga made his first start in almost two months on Monday and came closest to scoring when his effort hit the post. He is not yet at full sharpness after his hamstring injury, but his pace is Newcastle’s best weapon on the break at Craven Cottage.

William Osula: ahead of Wissa for now

Osula has taken the No.9 role from Yoane Wissa, who has gone 10 games without a goal. Wissa came off the bench on Monday and forced two saves from Pickford, so he will push hard, but we think Osula keeps the shirt.

Harvey Barnes: one away from 100

Barnes made his 100th Premier League appearance for the club against Everton and is one goal away from 100 in his career. His deliveries from the left caused Everton problems all night, and he stays.

Bench, returns and doubts

Ramsey misses this one after his two yellow cards in stoppage time on Monday, and returns against Arsenal. Miley is expected back after missing three games with a glutes problem, although he faces a fight for a midfield place. Matias Fernandez-Pardo, the £51m summer signing, is set to make the travelling squad after illness. That squeeze could leave Aladji Bamba, who has only 27 Premier League minutes since his £35.5m move from Monaco, out of the matchday squad altogether.

If Jaissle prefers to stick with a 4-2-3-1, Willock keeps his place behind Osula and Steur goes back to the bench. After the 1-0 defeat to Everton, though, standing still would be the bigger risk.

Verdict: Steur is the change Newcastle need

Newcastle do not need a revolution at Fulham. They need someone in midfield who will take a risk with the ball, and right now that is Steur. Give him 90 minutes and the next two weeks will feel very different.

Newcastle predicted lineup vs Fulham (4-3-3): Horníček; Dedić, Schär, Burn, Hall; Joelinton, González, Steur; Elanga, Osula, Barnes