Newcastle United are preparing for their third friendly of the summer as they travel to Portugal to face FC Porto on Saturday.
Newcastle United are undefeated this summer as they earned a 2-0 victory over St. Patrick’s Athletic and drew their friendly against Hull City with a score of 2-2. With little time for rest, the Magpies will now travel to Portugal to take on FC Porto.
After selling Chancel Mbemba to the Portuguese champions, Newcastle will now play against them. FC Porto is one of the most successful clubs in Portugal as they have won the Primeira Liga 28 times and are constant participants in the UEFA Champions League.
Newcastle United were able to earn positive results in their first two friendlies despite experimenting different lineups. FC Porto will undoubtedly be Newcastle’s most difficult opponent this summer and the match will indicate where the Magpies stand against elite opponents. Here are three things to expect from the international friendly between Newcastle and FC Porto.
EPL Lineup Preview
Since this match is a preseason friendly, we can expect some extra substitutions in the second half. However, it would make the most sense to see the regular first team starters in action for most of the match.
FC Porto have faced decent opposition prior to this match as they played against Lille and Everton. The last two friendlies is when clubs begin to show their true colors and Rafa Benitez will want to see his main men in competitive action with opening day only being two weeks away.
Attack-minded Newcastle
Last season, Newcastle were dependent on the counter-attack against superior opponents, but they will have to test their attacking capabilities against FC Porto. The Magpies only scored 39 goals last season – the second fewest among the top ten – and Benitez will want to see his front-line play with more urgency.
In the first two friendlies, Dwight Gayle conceded a penalty for Newcastle and Joselu scored an impressive goal. Moreover, Newcastle’s midfield has enjoyed sufficient flexibility to play out of position to contribute offensively.
While defensive stability will be emphasized against such a dangerous opponent, Benitez will want to see how clinical his side can be in front of goal. Thus far in preseason, the Magpies have scored four goals in two matches and Benitez will hope for a similar tally on Saturday.
Eyes on Lascelles and Shelvey
Pundits, supporters and Benitez will analyze the team as a collective unit, but special attention will be paid to Jamaal Lascelles and Jonjo Shelvey. The skipper and the mercurial midfielder are recognized as Newcastle’s star players and for that reason they will be expected to perform against a side that is regularly in the Champions League.
Lascelles will be expected to organize his back-line and disrupt FC Porto’s ground and aerial attack. FC Porto do not make mistakes in front of goal and this was evident last season when the Portuguese giants scored 82 goals in 34 matches. Lascelles will have his hands full on Saturday, but it will be good preparation for the 2018-19 Premier League campaign.
Shelvey will, as always, take on the role of orchestrating the attack by spreading the ball around to the wings and up top. FC Porto’s pace and athleticism in midfield will provide Shelvey with adversity heading into the season and it will be important to see how well he handles the pressure.