Newcastle United begin their preparations for a return to competitive action when they meet Saudi Arabian champions Al-Hilal in the Diriyah Season Cup at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on Thursday.
The Saudi-owned Magpies are gearing up for a week-long training camp in the warm weather of the Middle East and will also battle Rayo Vallecano before resuming their Champions League push.
Match preview
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As Saudi Arabian champions, Al-Hilal provided many of the players who would seek to make waves for Herve Renard's side at the World Cup and their crop memorably overcame Argentina before defeats to Poland and Mexico sent them packing.
A total of 12 players from Al-Hilal represented Saudi Arabia in Qatar, but their focus is now back on retaining their Saudi Professional League title, and they are already playing catch-up in that regard.
Led by the former Argentina striker Ramon Diaz, Al-Hilal sit fourth in the Saudi Pro League standings after taking 17 points from their opening eight matches, with Al-Shabab five points clear of the current holders at the top of the table.
Only one of Al-Hilal's four final games before the World Cup break ended in victory, although it was their most recent one - a 3-2 success away at Al Tai - but they had won each of their opening four league matches before that marked downturn in fortunes.
The Blue Waves have made headlines off the pitch in recent weeks as they battle with Al-Nassr to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to the Middle East, but Diaz's men must now turn their attention to a side seeking to upset the Premier League's established Big Six order.
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Scenes of pandemonium were commonplace when Newcastle's £300m Saudi-backed takeover was completed in the autumn of 2021, but not many Magpies fans could have pictured their side challenging for Champions League football this early into the post-Mike Ashley era.
As new signings star and former favourites rediscover their golden touch, Eddie Howe has led Newcastle to third place in the Premier League table with 30 points from their opening 15 games of the season - only Arsenal and reigning champions Manchester City have performed better.
A magnificent streak of form just before the World Cup break saw Newcastle claim six successive wins in all tournaments - including five on the bounce in the Premier League, the most recent of which saw the Magpies put Chelsea to the sword 1-0 on November 12 thanks to Joe Willock's winner.
Following their short stint in the Middle East, Newcastle will welcome Rayo Vallecano to St James' Park for another friendly on December 17 before returning to competitive action against Bournemouth in the fourth round of the EFL Cup on December 21.
Howe's men then prepare to battle Leicester City and Leeds United in two very winnable Premier League fixtures before the New Year, but their first clash of 2023 sees them travel to the Emirates Stadium to face current Premier League leaders Arsenal in what will be the biggest test of their Champions League credentials yet.
Team News
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It remains to be seen if Al-Hilal's World Cup crop will be returning for Thursday's game only a week after their World Cup exit, but one man who will definitely not feature is defender Yasser Al-Shahrani, who suffered horrific facial injuries in a collision with goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais against Argentina.
Al-Hilal's ranks also include Salem Al-Dawsari - scorer of that stunning winner against Argentina before also finding the net against Mexico - and there are some recognisable foreigners at Diaz's disposal.
Indeed, former Manchester United man Odion Ighalo is battling for places in attack with Moussa Marega and Andre Carrillo, the latter of whom has also occupied a deeper role for Al-Hilal this term.
As for Newcastle, the quartet of Kieran Trippier, Nick Pope, Bruno Guimaraes and Callum Wilson - the latter of whom has also picked up a minor strain - continue to compete for World Cup glory with their respective countries.
Emil Krafth remains out for the long term with his ACL problem, but Alexander Isak, Paul Dummett, Ryan Fraser, Matt Ritchie and Sven Botman are all on course to return before the New Year, although only Botman may start here.
Dan Burn did not travel to Riyadh with the squad due to illness but is expected to link up with the rest of the team later this week, and Howe will likely name a strong first XI, with the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin, Joelinton and the rejuvenated Miguel Almiron all taking to the field.
Al-Hilal possible starting lineup:
Al-Mayouf; Al-Yami, Jang, Jahfali, N. Al-Dawsari; Al-Juwayr, Cuellar, Carrillo; Marega, Ighalo, Michael
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Darlow; Manquillo, Lascelles, Botman, Targett; Willock, Longstaff, Joelinton; Almiron, Wood, Saint-Maximin
We say: Al-Hilal 1-3 Newcastle United
The result of this game will likely prove inconsequential for both managers, whose main goal will be to avoid any unnecessary injuries before their returns to competitive action, but it is difficult to look past a romping Newcastle success.
Al-Hilal boast plenty of celebrated names up top capable of making a difference, but with so many of their defensive contingent in need of a break after the World Cup, a rampant Newcastle can feel confident of sinking the Saudi champions.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Knapton
