Back to backs? Yes, really! But at least it’s just consecutive friendlies, and not competitive clashes on back to back days. Late afternoon Saturday sees Stade Brestois come to St. James Park, with Newcastle United having welcomed in Girona FC later on tonight (go here for the preview of Friday’s match).
Feels really weird to preview a match while the previous contest still hasn’t been completed, but hey, it’s just the way the scheduled shaped out.
Preseason Friendly FYIs
Newcastle United vs Stade Brestois
Kickoff: Aug 9, St James’ Park, 7:30pm BST
Newcastle Preview Content vs Girona FC: Starting XI Prediction Team News
Buy the book: Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America
Newcastle Team News vs Stade Brestois
The Magpies team news for the match against Stade Brestois, or Brest, is the same as it is for Girona FC. You can view that here. As for what the starting lineup will be, we’re guessing manager Eddie Howe will go with a strong team at kickoff versus Girona and Brest, while making wholesale changes at halftime; in both matches.
We’re also expecting a little bit of rotation, from the two first teams.
Newcastle United Starting XI Prediction vs Stade Brestois
Vlachodimos; Valentino Livramento, Lloyd Kelly, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall; Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton; Jacob Murphy, Alexander Isak, Harvey Barnes
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to Ravens Wire, part of the USA Today SMG’s NFL Wire Network and the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated, Chicago Tribune and the Washington Times. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.