7M - Club Friendlies Preview: Bristol City vs Newcastle United - prediction, team news, lineups

Newcastle United will continue their preparations for the 2026-27 Premier League campaign with a pre-season friendly against Bristol City on Wednesday.

The Magpies are working towards their league opener against Liverpool on August 23, and it is shaping up to be a very important campaign for Eddie Howe's side.

Match preview

Bristol City finished 12th in the Championship last season, so the Robins are preparing for another season in the second tier. Michael Skubala's side have played three friendlies this summer, opening with a 2-0 defeat to Stockport County, before drawing 0-0 with Newport County and then recording a 3-1 success over Swindon Town last time out.

The Robins will actually send a squad to face Forest Green Rovers on Wednesday evening—at the same time they will be tackling Newcastle. Bristol City will then take on Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City in two matches on August 1, before beginning their EFL Cup campaign against Walsall on August 6.

The Robins, who will open their 2026-27 Championship challenge against Millwall on August 15, have made eight signings this summer, including Lorent Tolaj in a big-money move from Plymouth.

The Magpies will face Bristol City, Valencia, Everton, Bayer Leverkusen and Strasbourg before beginning their Premier League season against Liverpool on August 23. Howe's side have made four signings so far this summer, including Bazoumana Toure, with the 20-year-old arriving in a big-money switch from Hoffenheim.

Newcastle have had two major outgoings this summer, with Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali moving on, while Bruno Guimaraes continues to be linked with a departure. The Magpies are under pressure to improve in the coming season, as a disappointing 2025-26 campaign saw them finish down in 12th spot in the Premier League table.

Team News

Bristol City's new signing Tolaj scored a brace in the team's success over Swindon last time out, and the striker should once again be in the starting XI. Head coach Skubala is sending a squad to Forest Green on the same night, so it is difficult to predict an XI here, but the expectation is that the players who start will receive 60 minutes before wholesale changes occur against the Premier League side. Jed Wallace is also expected to be among the starters for the Robins.

Newcastle should have Harvey Barnes in their starting XI, with the attacker expected to celebrate signing a new long-term contract at St James' Park. The Magpies remain without the services of Bruno Guimaraes, Yoane Wissa, Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade, Dan Burn, Bazoumana Toure and Malick Thiaw due to their involvement in the 2026 World Cup. Jacob Ramsey is expected to be among the starters for the Premier League side.