NewcastleNewcastle Unitedvs.Athletic Bilbao

The Magpies will also be in action on Friday evening against Italian team Atalanta BC, as Eddie Howe's side round off their pre-season with a quick-fire double-header at St James' Park.

Match preview

Newcastle have played four pre-season games this summer, opening their preparations for the new campaign with a 5-1 victory over Gateshead on July 9 before beating 1860 Munich 3-0 six days later.

The Magpies then suffered a 1-0 defeat to Mainz 05 on July 18, while they were beaten 3-2 by Benfica in their last match on Tuesday, with Miguel Almiron's brace not enough for the Howe's side to avoid defeat.

Newcastle will now take on Atalanta and Athletic in their final two friendlies of the summer before beginning their 2022-23 Premier League season at home to newly-promoted Nottingham Forest on August 6.

The Magpies have only signed three players during this summer's transfer window, bringing in Sven Botman, Matt Targett and Nick Pope, but the club are expected to be active in the final stages of the market.

Newcastle looked destined for relegation to the Championship due to their poor form in the first half of the 2021-22 campaign, but they ultimately finished 11th in the Premier League table, with their January business playing an important role in the team moving clear of the bottom three.

Athletic, meanwhile, are building towards their La Liga opener against Mallorca on August 15, and the Basque outfit have already played four pre-season matches this summer.

The Lions opened their preparations for the new season with draws against Borussia Monchengladbach and MSV Duisburg in a double-header on July 17 before recording a 4-1 victory over VFL Bochum four days later.

Athletic then played out a 1-1 draw with Mainz last Saturday, and they will take on Newcastle and Mirandes in their final two friendlies of the summer.

Ernesto Valverde's side, who finished eighth in La Liga last season, have signed Gorka Guruzeta this summer, but their transfer business is always limited due to their Basque-only policy.

A number of players have left the club on free transfers, including Unai Lopez and Unai Nunez, but Athletic have thus far managed to keep hold of Inigo Martinez, who has been linked with Barcelona this summer.

Newcastle United friendlies form:

Newcastle United form (all competitions):

Athletic Bilbao friendlies form:

Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):

Team News

Newcastle boss Howe could decide to use two separate squads for the matches against Atalanta or Athletic, although he also has the option of using the same players but limiting their minutes.

As a result, it is difficult to know exactly what to expect from the home side here, especially as they will be in action against Atalanta, but a strong squad should be available for this contest.

Almiron's brace against Benfica last time out could earn him a spot in the final third of the field alongside Jacob Murphy and Chris Wood, while Bruno Guimaraes may start in midfield.

As for Athletic, Nico Williams was on the scoresheet in the draw with Mainz last time out, and the 20-year-old is again expected to feature in the final third of the field.

Head coach Valverde is again expected to make full use of his squad on Saturday, but a familiar side could take to the field for the first whistle, including Iker Muniain and Dani Garcia.

Inigo Martinez should also start at centre-back despite the speculation surrounding his future, while Mikel Balenziaga could replace Jon Morcillo, who started at left-back last time out.

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:

Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett; S Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; J Murphy, Wood, Almiron

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:

Simon; De Marcos, I Martinez, Yeray, Balenziaga; Berenguer, D Garcia, Vesga, Muniain; I Williams, N Williams

We say: Newcastle United 1-1 Athletic Bilbao

Both managers will view this match as valuable preparation for the new campaign, and it should be an open and entertaining contest on Saturday afternoon. Athletic have enough quality to find the back of the net at least once, but Newcastle should also register, so we are backing a low-scoring draw here.

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