David Moyes’ team sheet for Sunday at St James Park is unlikely to include any surprises.
Lukasz Fabianksi is likely to start as a safe pair of hands in-between the sticks with Alphonse Areola on the bench
Vladimir Coufal and Aaron Creswell can be assured of their first team starting places if fit.
Although Angelo Ogbonna is likely to be fit he is unlikely to be risked in the first game so Craig Dawson is most likely to partner Issa Diop as he has done in recent pre-season friendlies.
Tomas Soucek and Delcan Rice are almost un-droppable if fit with Mark Noble and Manuel Lanzini on the bench for cover in midfield.
Said Benrahma must be due a start after the great form he has shown in the pre-season campaign alongside Pablo Fornals to the right and Jarrod Bowen to the left. Andriy Yarmolenko, who started the Betway Cup last weekend, will most likely drop to the bench.
Michail Antonio picks himself up front every time he is fit with Bowen and/or Yarmolenko available if he can’t play for whatever reason.
Predicted Starting XI: Fabianski, Cresswell, Diop, Dawson, Coufal, Rice (c), Soucek, Benrahma, Fornals, Bowen, Antonio
The Premier League will allow a match day bench of nine this season which could look like this.
Bench: Areola, Lanzini, Ogbonna, Fredericks, Johnson, Alves, Yarmolenko, Noble, Oko-Flex