Predicted Newcastle team v Urawa Red Diamonds | OneFootball

Looking ahead to the likely Newcastle team v Urawa Rd Diamonds later today.

A 7.30pm (local time, 11.30am in UK) kick-off as United are set for their second pre-season friendly.

At least that is, in terms of played in public, as it ended Newcastle 3 SpVgg Unterhaching 1 eleven years ago. That match played behind closed doors at the end of the first-team’s stay at the Adidas HQ’s world-class training facility. Barnes, Murphy and Isak with first-half goals, with then Eddie Howe playing an entirely different eleven after the break, all of the outfield players in that second half were reserve/under 21 team players.

Then on Saturday the first pre-season match played in public, a 2-0 win at Hull, the goals again in the first half, Isak and Murphy once again on the scoresheet.

Once again a lot of (youthful!) subs, this time spread across the second-half, Odysseas Vlachodimos replaced Nick Pope late on and otherwise the eight outfield subs were all under 21s. Only Dan Burn and Emil Krafth playing the full match.

Nick Pope (Odysseas Vlachodimos 74), Tino Livramento (Trevan Sanusi 64), Jamal Lewis (Johnny Emmerson 74), Emil Krafth, Dan Burn (c), Lewis Hall (Dylan Charlton 84), Jamie Miley (Ellis Stanton 79), Jacob Murphy (Anthony Munda 74), Joelinton (Alfie Harrison 64), Harvey Barnes (Jay Turner-Cooke 64), Alexander Isak (Ben Parkinson 64)

So what, if any, changes can we expect in Eddie Howe’s starting eleven today, his Newcastle team v Urawa Red Diamonds

Those who definitely won’t play, as they didn’t travel – Kieran Trippier, Anthony Gordon, Lewis Miley, Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, Callum Wilson and Matt Targett, as well as Joe White, Garang Kuol, Ellis Stanton, Dylan Charlton, Johnny Emerson, Anthony Munda and Ciaran Thompson. Trippier and Gordon of course given extended leave due to England not finishing their Euros campaign until 14 July. Also, whilst Sandro Tonali has travelled to Japan, his ban covers these pre-season friendlies as well.

Eddie Howe has said that he expects Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff and Lloyd Kelly to all get some minutes on the pitch out in Japan, however, he indicated that Saturday’s game was more likely for the trio. So whilst they may well be on the bench today, I can’t see any of the three starting.

Eddie Howe has welcomed another four players back who were on international duty this summer, with Bruno Guimaraes, Fabian Schar, Martin Dubravka and Miguel Almiron part of the squad in Japan.

Whilst I have no doubt that Eddie Howe and especially his bosses will want as many star names on the pitch as possible, I can’t see the NUFC Head Coach taking any unnecessary risks whatsoever. Players won’t be asked to do more than their current fitness levels suggest is wise.

So where does that leave us?

Well, I predict this Newcastle team v Urawa Red Diamonds:

Nick Pope, Tino Livramento, Emil Krafth, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall, Bruno Guimaraes, Jacob Murphy, Joelinton, Harvey Barnes, Alexander Isak

I can see Eddie Howe potentially playing with wing-backs, most likely Livramento and Hall, although Lewis Hall was excellent when playing in central midfield on Saturday at Hull, so no surprise either if he plays there.

Whatever the starting line-up, with the heat and humidity we are guaranteed a lot of subs and I am guessing, water breaks as well.

Newcastle United schedule to end of September 2024:

Saturday 20 July 2024 – Newcastle 3 SpVgg Unterhaching 1

Saturday 27 July 2024 – Hull 0 Newcastle 2

Wednesday 31 July 2024 – Urawa Red Diamonds v Newcastle United friendly in Japan, playing at the 62,000 capacity Saitama Stadium, the largest football-specific stadium in Japan.

Saturday 3 August 2024 – Yokohama F Marinos v Newcastle United friendly at the National Stadium in Toyko.

Friday 9 August 2024 – Newcastle United v Girona FC friendly 7.30pm kick-off (SJP Sela weekend)

Saturday 10 August 2024 – Newcastle United v Stade Brestois 4pm kick-off (SJP Sela weekend)

Wednesday 14 August 2024 – The Carabao Cup second round draw will be made around 10pm.

Saturday 17 August 2024 – Newcastle v Southampton (3pm)

Sunday 25 August 2024 – Bournemouth v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Week commencing Monday 26 August 2024 – Carabao Cup round two matches will be played

Friday 30 August 2024 – Summer transfer window closes at 11pm.

Sunday 1 September 2024 – Newcastle v Tottenham (1.30pm) Sky Sports

(The first international break of the season)

Sunday 15 September 2024 – Wolves v Newcastle (4.30 pm) Sky Sports

Weeks commencing Monday 16 September AND Monday 23 September – Carabao Cup round three (This round split over two midweeks)

Saturday 21 September 2024 – Fulham v Newcastle (3 pm)

Weeks commencing Monday 16 September AND Monday 23 September – Carabao Cup round three (This round split over two midweeks)