'I expect' - Journalist hints at early Newcastle team news

Chris Waugh has been speaking on Pod on the Tyne about the likelihood of Bruno Guimaraes starting for Newcastle United this weekend.

After signing for a joint-club record fee, Bruno Guimaraes and most of the Newcastle United fanbase will have expected him to fit in seamlessly into Eddie Howe’s starting lineup, however, now in March, the Brazilian international is still yet to start a game.

Guimaraes was handed a 26-minute cameo on Saturday when Howe subbed him on against Brentford and he ended up finishing the game with an XG of 0.4 and also managed to register two shot-creating actions, while also putting in the hard yards with the second-most pressures on the team (FBRef).

However, Waugh doesn’t believe that will be enough and Guimaraes will have to take up his place on the bench this weekend.

“I’d be interested to see next weekend, what happens, I still don’t think he’s likely to start against Brighton. If he does come on as I expect he would, whether he comes on in the same sort of position or whether again, it’s for Willock or like for like in some sort of way.”

TIF Thoughts on Guimaraes…

Undoubtedly, Guimaraes will be frustrated by his severe lack of game time after being a regular starter for the first half of the season at Lyon, but with the Magpies’ fixtures set to become congested, surely his time will come and then it’s about grasping it with both hands.

Despite having played just 28 minutes of football in the Premier league, Guimaraes has already registered two shot-creating actions, which works out at 5.63 per 90 minutes (FBRef), highlighting just how good he will likely be when finally unleashed by Eddie Howe.

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