MX23RW : Monday, May 20 02:01:25| >> :120:18654:18654:

Preview: Newcastle United vs. Barnsley - prediction, team news, head-to-head record

Sports Mole previews Saturday's pre-season friendly between Newcastle United and Barnsley, including team news and head-to-head records.

Newcastle United will continue their preparations for the 2020-21 season with a clash against Championship side Barnsley on Saturday afternoon.

The fixture will take place at the Premier League outfit's Benton training ground but will act as a valuable game for both sides as they build towards the start of competitive action.


Match preview

Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce pictured on June 21, 2020© Reuters

Newcastle got their pre-season campaign off to an impressive start on Tuesday as they recorded a three-goal victory over Crewe Alexandra, with Andy Carroll, Christian Atsu and Federico Fernandez on the scoresheet.

The win came at a cost, though, with Dwight Gayle picking up an ankle injury which is likely to rule him out for the next few months, leaving the Magpies short in the final third of the field.

There will also be no Martin Dubravka either this weekend or for the start of the new Premier League season as the goalkeeper picked up a heel injury during a training session last week.

Steve Bruce's side are due to face Middlesbrough in another friendly on September 1 before opening their 2020-21 season away to West Ham United on September 12.

The Magpies ultimately finished 13th in last season's Premier League table as they lost four of their last five matches of the campaign, claiming just one point during a poor finish.

Callum Styles celebrates scoring for Barnsley on July 22, 2020© Reuters

Barnsley, meanwhile, dramatically escaped relegation from the Championship on the final day of last season, beating Brentford 2-1 to ultimately finish in 21st spot, one point clear of the bottom three.

The club are therefore preparing for another season in the second tier, but it is an incredibly quick turnaround, and they have also only played one friendly this summer, beating Crewe 2-0 last weekend.

Gerhard Struber's side are expected to have two new faces on display this weekend, with Dominik Frieser and Kilian Ludewig likely to be involved for the Championship side following their summer arrivals.

The Tykes are due to start their new Championship season at home to Luton Town on September 12 but will also take on Nottingham Forest in the first round of the EFL Cup on September 5.

Newcastle pre-season form: W

Barnsley pre-season form: W


Head To Head

Newcastle lead the overall head-to-head record 20 wins to Barnsley's 11, while there have also been 12 draws between these two sides in all competitions.

The Magpies have won seven of their last eight meetings, including a 3-0 victory when they last locked horns in the Championship at the end of the 2016-17 campaign.

Barnsley's last win over Newcastle was actually back in December 1992, while they have only avoided defeat in two of their last 12 clashes with the Premier League side.


SM words green background

We say: Newcastle 3-1 Barnsley

The result will not mean too much to either manager this weekend, but both sides will be keen to put on a positive performance. Newcastle should have too much for their Championship opponents, though, and we fancy Bruce's side to make it two wins from two pre-season matches.


ID:411883: cacheID:411883:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6231:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka pictured in January 2020
Read Next:
Martin Dubravka to miss start of new season through injury
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!