Newcastle vs Leicester: Bruno Guimaraes avoids red for lunge as hosts look to confirm top four spot

Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the Premier League clash between Newcastle and Leicester.  

Host commentator

35min: Leicester almost found themselves through!

A long ball fired down the flank by Timothy Castagne found Kelechi Iheanacho, who had drifted in behind a reasonably high Newcastle line.

The striker then looked to slot through Jamie Vardy into the box, but the hosts were able to scramble away. That gave the away end something to shout about.

32min: Alexander Isak tried his luck from distance and picked out the stand.

Jonny Evans and Wout Faes were seen in an animated discussion after that chance.

Leicester look short of ideas once they’ve cleared the initial ball.

30min: We’ve reached the half hour mark now.

Alexander Isak is back out and continuing, although that might be one to keep an eye on. He’s sporting strapping on his knee.

The hosts have dominated proceedings but are yet to create a golden opportunity.

27min: Alexander Isak is the next player to go into the book.

A poor pass allowed the visitors to break out, and the forward scythed down Timothy Castagne.

Worryingly, Isak is now down and receiving treatment.

25min: It really is just one way traffic.

Surely this isn’t sustainable for Leicester?

I think I can count the number of times they’ve broken into Newcastle territory on one hand.

21min: And there is the first save from Daniel Iversen.

Elliot Anderson picked up the ball around 25 yards from goal and glanced up, one thought on his mind.

The midfielder then pulled the trigger, with his curling effort sailing through to the goalkeeper.

17min: Couple of half chances for Newcastle come and go.

Harry Souttar missed a long ball after being eased away by Callum Wilson, who broke into the box. He then looked to bend one toward the far corner, but Jonny Evans blocked.

Moments later, Miguel Almiron raced down the right, cut in and blazed high and wide.

12min: Newcastle have looked to go direct into the box from wide positions so far.

The hosts have been sharp to move the ball into good areas, but so far, Leicester’s three centre-backs have stood firm.

This could be a long evening for them at this rate. The visitors have no out ball currently.

8min: Ouch. Bruno Guimaraes has gone into the book already.

It was a poor, poor challenge, as well.

He made contact high on Boubakary Soumare’s leg and was shown a yellow card. A bit more force behind that and he may have been sent off.

6min: Newcastle’s first corner of the game was preceded by a loud roar around the ground.

Kieran Trippier then delivered toward the far post and Dan Burn won the first header.

Leicester were fastest to the dropping ball, however, and hooked clear.

3min: It’s been a slow start, but that is entirely intentional from the visitors.

Daniel Iversen took an age over his first goal-kick before launching it long.

Game management and stunting Newcastle’s momentum will be crucial for Leicester tonight.

1min: And we’re off!

The stadium is absolutely rocking.

What an atmosphere. What an occasion.

Let’s do this.

Leave your score predictions in the comments below!

The warm-ups are in full swing.

There are just 15 minutes now until we get underway.

Anticipation is building around St James’ Park.

Eddie Howe has done a truly incredible job since taking the reins at St James’ Park.

After steering them away from danger last season, the objective this campaign would surely have been a comfortable mid-table finish and potential European push.

Instead, Newcastle are gunning for the Champions League and will clinch a spot in the prestigious competition if they pick up just a point tonight.

It is no surprise, then, that Howe is deservedly up for the Manager of the Season award.

The clock is rapidly ticking down for Leicester.

After a nightmare campaign, they now face the prospect of having to pick up all three points at a raucous, hostile St James’ Park to keep their survival hopes alive.

It truly has been a sorry downfall.

Dean Smith has confirmed that James Maddison and Harvey Barnes were dropped for tactical reasons.

Speaking to Sky Sports on his decision, he said: ‘We decided to change it.

‘We need to be harder to beat. The last couple of games, we have needed six and four goals to win them so we needed to make a change.

‘We picked a team we feel can compete but we’ve also got an impact from the bench.’

Wow, that’s a huge call from Dean Smith.

Both James Maddison and Harvey Barnes are among the substitutes for Leicester this evening, which has surely come as a surprise to everyone.

The visitors have made three changes altogether, with Ricardo Pereira also dropping out.

Harry Souttar, Luke Thomas and Kelechi Iheanacho have been recalled.

Newcastle have made just one change from the side that downed Brighton last time out.

Sean Longstaff is in for Joe Willock in central midfield.

Other than that, it’s as you were!

Starting XI: Iversen, Thomas, Souttar, Faes, Evans, Castagne, Ndidi, Soumare, Tielemans, Vardy, Iheanacho

Substitutes: Smithies, Barnes, Kristiansen, Amartey, Daka, Mendy, Praet, Tete, Maddison

Starting XI: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Joelinton, Guimaraes, Longstaff, Almiron, Wilson, Isak

Substitutes: Dubravka, Dummett, Gordon, Saint-Maximin, Lewis, Targett, Murphy, Anderson, Miley

We’re rapidly approaching the final day of the season now and there is still lots to play for.

Manchester City, of course, wrapped up the Premier League title and Arsenal will finish second. Behind them, though, the final two Champions League spots are up for grabs.

Newcastle and Manchester United are in pole position, but a lot may change between now and next Sunday. Leicester will certainly be hoping that is the case.

Below, Mail Sport runs you through all the possible permutations.

Hello, all! Welcome along to our coverage of yet another crucial Premier League showdown.

Today may very well be the day Newcastle officially secure Champions League qualification. Who would have expected that at the start of the season?

What an achievement that would be from Eddie Howe, his players and his staff.

As for the visitors, time is rapidly running out in their bid to beat the drop. Nothing but a victory will do for them, especially with Dean Smith’s side three points adrift of safety.

Kick-off at St James’ Park is 8pm.

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