Newcastle United confirm second pre-season friendly
Tuesday saw a pre-season friendly announced against Bradford City.
Now Newcastle have confirmed the second one of the summer, with a visit to Deepdale.
A slightly odd kick-off time sees the Magpies playing Preston at 5.30pm (***Newcastle United have now corrected this to 3pm) on Saturday 22 July, this is four days before Rafa Benitez takes his team to Bradford for a 7.30pm kick-off on Wednesday 26 July.
Preston proved enticing opposition last season, as Rafa’s players scored 12 goals against the Lancashire side, 6-0 in the League Cup at St James Park, as well as 4-1 and 2-1 victories home and away in the league.
That 4-1 game of course saw Newcastle clinch promotion on a Monday night, the third last match of the season.
A training camp in Ireland is also rumoured, as well as a predicted home friendly against Hellas Verona – no confirmation of the opponents as yet but Newcastle do confirm that there will be one home game on the weekend (Sat 5 August) before the Premier League kicks off.
A friendly in Berlin is another game that has been claimed to be planned.
Newcastle United official announcement:
‘Newcastle United will travel to Preston North End for a pre-season friendly next month.
The Magpies will make the trip to Deepdale on Saturday, 22nd July for a 5.30pm kick-off.
United clinched promotion back to the Premier League with a 4-1 victory against the Lilywhites at St. James’ Park in April.
And Rafa Benitez’s side were 2-1 winners at Deepdale in October, having beaten North End 6-0 in the EFL Cup earlier that month.
Simon Grayson’s side finished 11th in the Sky Bet Championship last season. Ticket details will be announced in due course.
BenÃtez’s pre-season plans are beginning to take shape, after a friendly at Bradford City was confirmed on Tuesday. United will head to the Northern Commercials Stadium at Valley Parade for a 7.30pm kick-off on Wednesday, 26th July (subject to final confirmation with the relevant authorities nearer the time).
And the Magpies will announce details of further pre-season friendlies in the UK and in Europe – including a home game on the first weekend of August – over the coming days.’
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