Lastly, the soccer is again. The tedious pre-season friendlies aren’t any extra. The switch window is drawing to a detailed, and significant matches are right here, in the end.
For a lot of, the Ashes might have provided that sports activities repair over the summer time, or alternatively Wimbledon, however there’s nothing fairly like a matchday supporting your soccer crew.
Newcastle United return to motion this weekend as their 2023/24 Premier League marketing campaign kicks off towards Aston Villa at St James’ Park.
After securing a top-four end final time period, expectations can be excessive, and Soccer FanCast has previewed their opening six matches of the season.
Newcastle fixtures
- 12 August: Aston Villa (h)
- 19 August: Manchester Metropolis (a)
- 27 August: Liverpool (h)
- 2 September: Brighton (a)
- 17 September: Brentford (h)
- TBC: Champions League group stage MD1
- 24 September: Sheffield United (a)
Newcastle v Aston Villa
Either side are anticipated to be in and amongst the highest six this season, so this assembly is about to be a aggressive bout.
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa had been one of many shock packages final time period, significantly after the beginning they made below earlier head coach Steven Gerrard.
Since Emery’s appointment in November 2022, solely 4 groups within the Premier League have taken extra factors, offering proof to counsel when given a full season, the Spaniard is greater than able to guiding the West Midlands membership to a top-six end.
The Magpies, however, are recent off the again of a fourth-placed end, thus qualifying for the Champions League for the first time because the 2002/03 marketing campaign, and expectations this time period can be to keep up their standing as a European membership.
In a bid to attain that, there isn’t any higher solution to begin than securing a victory towards fellow top-six challengers.
However, regardless of Newcastle’s house benefit, Villa have greater than sufficient attacking risk to seal an away level.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-2 Aston Villa
Manchester Metropolis v Newcastle
Newcastle’s begin would not get any simpler…
Eddie Howe’s aspect journey south on nineteenth August to face treble winners Manchester Metropolis, who’re searching for to assert a fourth consecutive title triumph this season.
The final assembly between the pair resulted in victory for the Residents because of targets from Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva. The reverse fixture final 12 months, nevertheless, produced an enthralling 3-3 draw, which will definitely give the Magpies hope heading into this one.
Though, Newcastle have not gained on the Etihad since their fourth spherical 2-0 League Cup victory again in October 2014, and it is unlikely that pattern will stutter this time round.
Metropolis’s Erling Haaland will certainly be an excessive amount of for the Tynesiders, as their first away sport of the season ends in defeat.
Prediction: Manchester Metropolis 3-0 Newcastle
Newcastle v Liverpool
Liverpool have accomplished the double over Newcastle within the earlier two campaigns, so as soon as once more, the Magpies might have to conclude a pattern to be able to decide up their first win of the season (supplied these predictions come to move, in fact).
Their final assembly at St James’ Park earlier this 12 months was relatively eventful, with The Reds storming into an early two-goal lead earlier than Nick Pope acquired a straight purple card within the twenty second minute after dealing with the ball outdoors of his space.
Liverpool’s top-four cost gathered important momentum consequently however Howe’s aspect stayed resolute and held off the Merseysiders, who subsequently completed in fifth.
After a below-par season by their requirements, Liverpool can be desirous to return again to the Champions League while bridging the hole between them and Metropolis.
Many have predicted them to just do that, and after their summer time recruitment, it is exhausting to disagree.
One other troublesome check awaits the north-east membership, however on the third time of attempting, they could simply enter the win column.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Brighton v Newcastle
Newcastle handled the high-flying Seagulls handsomely once they final met in Might as they edged nearer to mathematically securing a spot within the prime 4.
Deniz Undav netted an personal purpose to open the Magpies’ account within the twenty second minute earlier than Dan Burn, Callum Wilson and Bruno Guimarães scored targets of their very own to safe a thumping 4-1 victory over their European-chasing opposition.
However that, Brighton adopted up their defeat within the north-east with a victory over Southampton three days later earlier than holding champions Manchester Metropolis to a rating draw on the Amex to seal their place within the prime six, thus qualifying for the Europa League for the primary time of their historical past.
Head coach Roberto De Zerbi has closely impressed since becoming a member of as Graham Potter’s successor in September 2022, and plenty of followers predict the south coast membership to be in and across the European spots as soon as extra.
As such, Newcastle will have to be on their A-game on this one to be able to preserve highly-rated forwards Kaoru Mitoma and Julio Enciso, amongst others, at bay.
Prediction: Brighton 1-2 Newcastle
Newcastle v Brentford
Brentford can be with out their prime scorer Ivan Toney for the primary half of the marketing campaign, and the five-month void left by the 27-year-old may end in a battle to outlive.
Admittedly, that may be a pessimistic viewpoint, however all issues thought of, the Bees will do nicely to copy their ninth-placed end of final season, which had them two factors adrift of Aston Villa, who occupied the ultimate European spot.
However that, Thomas Frank’s aspect nonetheless possess a substantial amount of high quality and may harm the Magpies with the tempo of forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Kevin Schade.
Nonetheless, Newcastle’s physicality may show to be the deciding issue right here, as they decide up their third successive victory.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-0 Brentford
Sheffield United v Newcastle
The north-east membership journey all the way down to Bramall Lane on twenty fourth September to tackle newly promoted Sheffield United.
The Blades will definitely be the underdogs heading into this fixture and up to date conferences evince such a label. They’ve misplaced 5 out of their final six matches towards the Magpies relationship again to April 2007, nevertheless, in January 2021, they did declare a 1-0 house victory over their opposition because of a Billy Sharp penalty within the 73rd minute.
That win was their first of the season, shifting their tally as much as 5 factors after 18 video games. Unsurprisingly, they had been relegated from the Premier League 4 months later.
Newcastle’s fortunes have taken a dramatic flip because the pair final met. Gone are the times of battling to outlive as they now put together to go toe-to-toe with Europe’s elite.
The truth is, their European exploits can have bought underway the earlier midweek, so they may undergo a basic European hangover.
Consequently, the division’s new boys may earn an sudden draw right here.
Prediction: Sheffield United 1-1 Newcastle