Preview:Newcastle United vs. Villarreal - prediction, team news, lineups

Newcastle United will round off their preparations for the 2023-24 campaign with a pre-season friendly against La Liga outfit Villarreal on Sunday afternoon.

The Magpies will play twice this weekend, taking on Fiorentina on Saturday, while Villarreal will also be in action 24 hours before this match, facing Nice the day before.

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Match preview

Newcastle have played five times this summer, beating Gateshead and Rangers in their opening two friendlies, before drawing 3-3 with Aston Villa and 1-1 with Chelsea in their next two in the Premier League Summer Series.

Eddie Howe's side rounded off their pre-season tour of the United States with a 2-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on July 28, and as mentioned, they will now take on Fiorentina and Villarreal this weekend before starting their 2023-24 Premier League campaign on August 12.

The Magpies will begin their new season at home to Aston Villa, before travelling to Manchester City and welcoming Liverpool in their final two league games of August.

Newcastle, who finished fourth in the Premier League last season to secure a return to the Champions League for the 2023-24 campaign, have made three first-team signings this summer.

Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes have arrived from AC Milan and Leicester City respectively to boost their squad, while Yankuba Minteh has made the move from Odense, but the 18-year-old has joined Feyenoord on loan for the 2023-24 season.

Villarreal, meanwhile, have been busy during the summer market, bringing in Alexander Sorloth, Ramon Terrats, Ben Brereton Diaz, Santi Comesana, Denis Suarez and Ilias Akhomach, while Matteo Gabbia has arrived on loan from AC Milan for the upcoming campaign.

The Yellow Submarine finished fifth in Spain's top flight last season to qualify for the group stage of the 2023-24 Europa League, and they will be expecting to push high up the table once again this term.

Quique Setien's side have played five friendlies so far this summer, starting their preparations for the new campaign with a 6-1 loss to St Gallen, before beating Rheindorf Altach 3-0.

Villarreal have lost two of their last three friendlies 3-0 to Hannover 96 and Sporting Lisbon, and like Newcastle, they will also be in action on Saturday afternoon, facing French team Nice.

The Yellow Submarine are building towards their 2023-24 La Liga opener against Real Betis on August 13, and Setien will be hoping for two competitive matches this weekend to prepare his side for the new season.

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Team News

Newcastle head coach Howe will look to use his full squad over the two matches this weekend, but a strong side is expected to take to the field for the first whistle against Villarreal.

There is no question that the manager will be thinking about his XI for their Premier League opener on August 12, with the fitness of the squad being carefully managed in the two fixtures on Saturday and Sunday.

Elliot Anderson scored a brace against Brighton in the team's last match in the Premier League Summer Series and could retain his spot in central midfield, while new signing Barnes might also keep hold of his attacking role alongside Callum Wilson, with Alexander Isak also potentially coming into the side.

Villarreal, meanwhile, should have a number of their new faces on display in this match, with Sorloth and Brereton Diaz both bidding to feature in the final third of the field.

There should be experience in the midfield in the shape of Etienne Capoue and Dani Parejo, with the latter still at the club despite speculation surrounding his future earlier this summer.

Villarreal have lost some key players this summer in the shape of Nicolas Jackson, Pau Torres and Samuel Chukwueze, so there will be a fresh look to the squad in the upcoming season.

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:

Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Tonali, Anderson, Joelinton; Isak, Wilson, Barnes

Villarreal possible starting lineup:

Jorgensen; Femenia, Albiol, Foyth, A Moreno; Parejo, D Suarez, Capoue; Diaz, Sorloth, G Moreno

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We say: Newcastle United 2-1 Villarreal

With both Newcastle and Villarreal also in action on Saturday, it is difficult to know exactly what to expect from this match. However, both managers are set to name strong sides, and we are backing Newcastle to shade what should be an open and entertaining contest at St James' Park.