Charlie Grace

Wed 24 September 2025 16:45, UK

Newcastle United begin their Carabao Cup defence against Bradford City on Wednesday, and Eddie Howe will have to make some tough calls in his team selection.

Newcastle beat Liverpool, 2-1, at Wembley in March 2025 with Howe leading the Magpies to their first major trophy in 70 years.

Howe’s side have struggled with their early-season form, winning just one of their opening five Premier League games.

Newcastle faced a torrid transfer window, with the star striker Alexander Isak joining Liverpool in a record-breaking deadline day deal.

Eddie Howe faces a huge decision with Nick Woltemade

Having been turned down by multiple summer targets, Newcastle finally signed Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa late in the window to bolster their attack.

However, the loss of Isak and the forward reinforcements arriving late has left Newcastle in a goalscoring mire.

Woltemade, who was described by his former Stuttgart head coach, Sebastian Hoeness, as “very special,” made an instant impact, scoring on his Newcastle debut against Wolves, before leaving the match early with cramp.

Those fitness concerns will be at the forefront of Howe’s mind when he selects his side to face Bradford City tonight, with one eye also firmly on Newcastle’s meeting with Arsenal at the weekend.

Howe may want to risk Woltemade this evening and give his side a stronger chance of kicking their cup defence off in the right fashion, but there will be concerns about whether the 22-year-old would be better used in the Premier League.

Newcastle’s attack is one of the worst in the Premier League

Newcastle have scored the joint-third most goals in the first five weeks of the Premier League season, netting just three goals.

Even more concerning for Howe will be the fact that his side aren’t even underperforming, registering just 4.6 expected goals, the fifth least in the league so far.

Isak’s absence has been recognised as, even when Newcastle do create chances, they aren’t being clinical with them, converting just under six per cent of their shots.

That number is the second-worst in the Premier League, and Howe will have to consider keeping Woltemade fit enough to buck that trend in a tough match against Arsenal at the weekend.

Arsenal have one of the league’s most resolute defences, conceding only two goals all season, and Howe will want Woltemade fit and firing to give his goal-shy squad the best chance of getting a result.