Newcastle United faced off against Espanyol in a pre-season friendly, with both teams looking to fine-tune their squads ahead of their respective league campaigns. The match, held on August 8, 2025, provided a valuable opportunity for managers to assess their players and experiment with different formations.
Newcastle's Pre-Season Struggles
Newcastle entered the game aiming for their first win of the pre-season, having previously faced Celtic, Arsenal, a South Korean League team, and Tottenham. Their previous form had been inconsistent, highlighting areas needing improvement before the start of the Premier League season. The Magpies finished fifth in the previous Premier League season, earning them a spot in the Champions League.
Espanyol's Unbeaten Run
Espanyol, on the other hand, boasted an unbeaten pre-season record, with victories over Peralada, Southampton, Wolfsburg, and Berlin Union, as well as a draw against Girona. Having finished 14th in La Liga the previous season, narrowly avoiding relegation, the Catalan side aimed to build momentum and confidence.
Team News and Starting Lineups
Eddie Howe handed first starts to Seung-soo Park and Aaron Ramsdale. Ramsdale's Magpies debut saw him line up behind a backline of Emil Krafth, Schär, Dan Burn and Matt Targett. Hall, Guimarães and Lewis Miley were in the middle of the park. Jacob Murphy and Seung-soo started in the wide positions and supported frontman Will Osula.
- Newcastle United: Aaron Ramsdale; Emil Krafth, Fabian Schär, Dan Burn, Matt Targett; Lewis Miley, Bruno Guimarães, Lewis Hall; Jacob Murphy, Will Osula, Seung-soo Park.
Match Prediction and Outcome
Pre-match analysis suggested Newcastle, given their higher league standing, were favourites. However, Espanyol's strong pre-season form indicated a potentially tight contest. The game was predicted to be low-scoring, with Espanyol proving difficult to break down in their previous friendlies.
Unfortunately, the final score and a detailed match report aren't available here. However, the pre-match context highlights the key storylines and expectations surrounding this pre-season encounter.