Newcastle United travel to the City Ground this weekend hoping to exact their revenge on Nottingham Forest after a bruising Boxing Day defeat at St James' Park. The build up this week has been dominated by who Eddie Howe should start at left-back for the away trip.
Dan Burn has been Howe's go-to option in recent months but Tino Livramento's stock continues to grow and the clamour to see him start on the left of the defence is growing too. It's a key decision for the Newcastle boss to make and we'll discover at 4.30pm Saturday which way he has leant.
Until then, we asked our panel of Chronicle Live writers to give us their take on the Burn vs Livramento debate.
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Aaron Stokes
It will be fascinating to see which way Eddie Howe goes this weekend with regards to the biggest Newcastle United talking point of the week. Anyone who has listened to the Everything is Black and White podcast in the last few days knows how I feel about Dan Burn and the criticism around him at left-back of late.
However, I'd like to see Tino Livramento thrown in from the outset against Nottingham Forest. Howe has this week admitted he 'loves' the youngster at left-back, which is a sentiment shared by many of the Magpies' faithful.
Burn has been excellent for many months and I have no doubt he will have more solid games on the left of Newcastle's defence in the months to come. However, Anthony Elanga had a field day last time these sides met on Boxing Day - and a repeat tomorrow could mean another heavy defeat for Howe's side.
Lee Ryder
I'd personally start with Dan Burn again at Forest. I think he will be the first to admit it wasn't his finest hour against Luton but there is such a thing as a honest mistake.
In pushing up the pitch trying to get Newcastle back in the game he was caught short and he was also trying to atone for his previous error. At some stage he will get a chance to rest and Livramento will start at left-back.
But I don't believe the timing is right to axe a key figure in the dressing room for such an important match.
Ciaran Kelly
Dan Burn is crucial to the way Newcastle United play, giving the defence balance, and almost acts as a third covering centre-back. However, Burn lacked protection last week and sorely missed Joelinton in front of him in midfield and Anthony Gordon down the flank.
It is not about to get any easier as Newcastle come up another rapid wide player potentially in Anthony Elanga, who caused real problems in the reverse fixture at St James' Park. For that reason, I'd bring Tino Livramento in.
Andrew Musgrove
If I was in charge of picking the XI for today's game with Nottingham Forest, there's no chance I'd be selecting Dan Burn. Dan has been superb for Newcastle since arriving from Brighton and has done a fantastic job at left-back - and I have faith he will do again but just not against Forest.
Following Burn's nightmare against Luton, he must be dreading the possibility of facing Anthony Elanga. For me, Tino Livramento has to get the nod instead but that being said, I fully expect Eddie Howe to stick with Burn.
Stuart Jamieson
Eddie Howe will doubtless be looking to exploit any perceived weaknesses in the Forest side this weekend, so he should be acutely aware that Nuno Espirito Santo will be doing the same. Which is why Tino Livramento should start instead of Dan Burn.
Let me stress, Burn is not a 'weak link'. He has again been excellent all season when, crucially, played out of position. He was superb against Fulham and then Aston Villa in recent weeks and does not deserve to be dropped just because of one poor game against Luton.
However, any manager worth their salt will look to capitalise on his lack of pace, and Forest have the players to do just that. All things being equal, if Howe felt opposition centre-backs were slow, he might opt for Isak over Wilson, if he thought they could be bullied, Wilson would get the nod. The same applies here.
There would be no issues in Burn returning against Bournemouth, however. He is a natural defender and still has much to offer Newcastle.
