Newcastle United will host Burnley at St. James’ Park this afternoon, looking to extend their Premier League winning streak to three games after defeating Sheffield United 8-0 last time out.

The Magpies, headed by Eddie Howe, had a difficult start to the season, losing three consecutive league matches after thumping Aston Villa 5-1 in the opener, but have recently returned convincingly.

The divisional feats are strengthened by a recent victory over Manchester City in the Carabao Cup, while last week, Newcastle kicked off their Champions League campaign with a battling away draw against AC Milan at the San Siro.

With Burnley now awaiting, perhaps Howe might be inclined to unleash Tino Livramento once again, who dazzled against Pep Guardiola’s side on Wednesday.

What position is Tino Livramento?

Livramento was signed from Southampton for an initial £32m in the summer, with the full-back joining to bolster the wide flanks and provide competition for the likes of Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn, who usually start on either flank of the central defence.

While Saints suffered relegation from the Premier League last year, Livramento was unable to join the fight due to a long-term injury that restricted him to just two substitute appearances at the end of the season.

And joining the Magpies, he has had to bide his time for his maiden start, but took his opportunity with aplomb in midweek and produced a stunning performance from the defensive right channel, making eight tackles, winning 11 of his 18 contested duels and completing 93% of his passes, as per Sofascore.

“Tino Livramento man of the match imo,” The Times’ Henry Winter commented of his performance against the treble champions. Outstanding in subduing Jack Grealish. Calm, focused, mobile, and brave.”

While Trippier, who scored a hat-trick against the Blades last Sunday, will be eager for a return to the starting lineup, Howe will undoubtedly consider giving his 20-year-old superstar a platform to continue what might be a meteoric ascent.

Should Newcastle put Joelinton on the field against Burnley?
Joelinton, the all-conquering midfielder who missed the previous two Premier League games with a knee injury but returned to produce the critical assist against the Citizens, is one player who certainly deserves a return to the starting lineup.

Signed from German side Hoffenheim for a formerly club-record £40m in 2019 as a striker, the Brazilian languished for years before a tactical tweak shifted him into a midfield role, where he now prospers as a resurgent member of this fast-rising Newcastle side.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 6% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 205 for progressive carries, the top 9% for successful take-ons, the top 14% for interceptions, the top 11% for blocks and the top 8% for aerial wins per 90.

The £85k-per-week machine, who has been hailed as “immense” by journalist Josh Bunting, will bring the physicality and defence-crashing presence required to bypass the toughness of Burnley, who will also look to implement their own passing style on proceedings.

With Joelinton a robust and technically proficient cog at the centre of the St. James’ Park pitch, such will be more than a little hard for Vincent Kompany’s side, and as long as his fitness holds out, the 27-year-old must be unleashed to continue the promising run of form for the ambitious Toon.