Preview: Team K-League vs Newcastle United - prediction, team news, lineups

Kicking off their quick trip to South Korea, Newcastle United will meet a K-League XI on Wednesday.

Tuning up for the season ahead, the Magpies have just suffered successive friendly defeats and will want to pick up a positive result in Suwon.

Match preview

Last term, Newcastle not only ended their decades-long trophy drought but also qualified for the Champions League, yet the aftermath of such an excellent campaign has not run smoothly.

Struggling to recruit their top targets - and faced with the potential exit of star man Alexander Isak - the Magpies have plenty of work to do before starting the 2025-26 season away to Aston Villa.

Having beaten Carlisle United in their first warm-up fixture, Newcastle were thumped 4-0 by Scottish champions Celtic and then lost 3-2 to Arsenal, so Eddie Howe hopes to see an improvement in South Korea.

While in the Far East, Howe's men will play an all-star K-League side and Tottenham Hotspur as part of the 2025 Coupang Play Series.

After tackling their fellow Premier League club at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Sunday, Newcastle return home to host Spanish sides Espanyol and Atletico Madrid - their last tests before visiting Villa Park on August 16.

Once again, Team K-League has been put together through a public vote, after 44 candidates were announced - four per position in the lineup.

Stars such as Jo Hyeon-woo, Jeon Jin-woo, Lee Dong-gyeong, Jesse Lingard and Jasir Asani were all on the original shortlist.

A 'Fan XI' from South Korea's top flight was then selected, and Pan-gon Kim - manager of reigning champions Ulsan HD, who recently took part in the Club World Cup - has been tasked with taking them into this high-profile contest.

In the past, Team K-League have played four games - winning one, drawing one, and losing twice to Tottenham - with their sole success coming against Atletico Madrid in 2023.

Newcastle United pre-season form: W L L

Team News

Hitting the headlines last week, Alexander Isak is absent from Newcastle's travelling party - ostensibly due to a 'minor thigh injury' - and apparently intends to leave Tyneside sooner rather than later.

As Callum Wilson has already left on a free transfer, Will Osula could therefore lead the Magpies' attack in Suwon, as he did against Arsenal last time out.

Having scored on Sunday, summer signing Anthony Elanga will vie with Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy for selection on the right flank; South Korean winger Seung-Soo Park may appear from the bench.

Left-back Lewis Hall has completed his comeback from a foot injury, so Eddie Howe should have everyone except Isak available.

Meanwhile, Team K-League will be led by Lee Tae-seok and Brazilian midfielder Oberdan - the Pohang Steelers pair finished top of a recent public vote.

Oberdan is set to start alongside Kim Jin-gyu of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Darijan Bojanic of Ulsan HD, while Jeon Jin-woo, Lee Dong-gyeong and Albania international Jasir Asani join forces up front.

With 44 caps for South Korea - including a starring role at the 2018 World Cup - Jo Hyeon-woo starts in goal for the hosts.

Team K-League possible starting lineup: Jo H-W; Kim M-H, Marcelo, Park J-S, Lee T-S; Oberdan, Bojanic, Kim J-G; Asani, Lee D-G, Jeon J-W

Newcastle United possible starting lineup: Pope; Krafth, Botman, Burn, Targett; Joelinton, Tonali, Miley; Elanga, Osula, Gordon

We say: Team K-League 1-2 Newcastle United

With the K-League team selected from the best players in South Korea's top flight - and intent on impressing against Premier League opposition - it could be an open encounter at Suwon's World Cup Stadium.

Newcastle are still building up match fitness for the long season ahead, so they may only edge past their hosts by a single goal.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.