Newcastle United will wrap up their pre-season schedule with a friendly match against Brest at St James’ Park on Saturday evening. This match marks the seventh pre-season fixture for Newcastle, while Brest is preparing for their sixth friendly as both teams get ready for the 2024-25 campaign. Newcastle returns to home turf after a week-long pre-season tour in Japan, where they secured a win against Urawa Red Diamonds but faced defeat against Yokohama F. Marinos.
The Magpies showed their strength against Urawa Red Diamonds, winning 4-1 thanks to goals from Jacob Murphy, Alexander Isak, and Lewis Hall. However, they couldn’t carry that momentum into their next match, losing 2-0 to Yokohama F. Marinos just three days later. Despite the setback, manager Eddie Howe found positives, noting that many key players were able to get important minutes ahead of the new season.
Following a seventh-place finish in the Premier League last season, Newcastle will take on Girona on Friday and then face Brest less than 24 hours later. These matches are the final steps in their preparations before their Premier League opener against Southampton at home on August 17. So far, Newcastle has won three of their five pre-season games, with two losses.
In contrast, Brest has struggled in their recent friendlies. Since a 2-0 victory over Avranches on July 12, they have failed to win any of their last four games, including a 1-1 draw with Lorient and consecutive 1-0 losses to Laval and Napoli. However, their 2-2 draw with Juventus offered some encouragement, particularly with Axel Camblan’s late equalizer. Manager Eric Roy remains optimistic, expressing satisfaction with the team’s collective efforts as they prepare for both their sixth consecutive season in Ligue 1 and their debut in the Champions League.
Brest earned a spot in the newly-expanded 36-team Champions League for the 2024-25 season after a remarkable third-place finish in Ligue 1 last season, their best-ever top-flight result. After their match against Newcastle at St James’ Park, Brest will shift focus to their Ligue 1 opener against Marseille on August 17.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is expected to rotate his squad once again, with players who see significant action in Friday’s match against Girona likely to be rested for Saturday’s friendly against Brest. Among those in contention for more minutes are center-back Fabian Schar, key midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, and summer signing Lloyd Kelly, all of whom made their first pre-season appearances against Yokohama F. Marinos.
Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon have rejoined first-team training this week following their involvement with England at Euro 2024. However, it’s uncertain whether they will participate in either of the upcoming matches. Meanwhile, new signing William Osula, who arrived from Sheffield United on Thursday, could make his debut for the club during these friendlies.
On the Brest side, they will be missing defender Bradley Locko, who is currently representing France at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Jordan Amavi, the former Aston Villa left-back, is one of Brest’s four new signings this summer. The 30-year-old could retain his spot on the left side of a back four, playing alongside fellow new recruit Abdoulaye Ndiaye, Brendan Chardonnet, and Kenny Lala.
Midfielder Mahdi Camara, who scored against Juventus in their last match, is likely to start again, partnered with Hugo Magnetti and veteran Jonas Martin. Up front, Ludovic Ajorque, who joined from Mainz 05 this summer, is expected to lead the attack.
**Newcastle United possible starting lineup:**
Vlachodimos; Ashby, Schar, Burn, Hall; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Barnes
**Brest possible starting lineup:**
Bizot; Lala, Ndiaye, Chardonnet, Amavi; Martin, Camara, Magnetti; Del Castillo, Ajorque, Le Douaron