As they navigate a tricky summer transfer window, Newcastle United are also gearing up for the 2025/26 season on the pitch as they host La Liga giants Atletico Madrid in their final preseason friendly on Saturday.
The Magpies are embroiled in a transfer saga with star striker Alexander Isak, who has looked to force a move away amidst interest from Liverpool.
However, Isak’s price tag and Newcastle’s inability to secure a viable replacement has drawn out the situation and left the Sweden international frozen out as he works to find a new home. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has said that Isak must “earn” his place back in the squad if he were to return, which at this point does not seem likely.
Instead, the Magpies must press on without last year’s top goal-scorer, having struggled in preseason. They were pummeled by Celtic to begin the summer, followed by defeats to Arsenal and even the K-League All-Stars.
Last time out they managed a draw with Tottenham to conclude their tour of Asia, and now they face a double-header at St. James’ Park against La Liga opposition before their first competitive fixture on August 16.
Atleti, meanwhile, were disappointingly bounced early in this summer’s Club World Cup and lost their first friendly since concluding the U.S. tournament by a 1-0 scoreline to Porto last weekend.
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Newcastle United vs. Atletico Madrid predicted lineups, starting 11, team news
Alexander Isak has been removed from first-team consideration as he pushes for an exit. He is training individually, and was even left out of the club’s “team bonding family day” on Wednesday. As long as this continues, he will not be involved in the club’s day-to-day or matchday activities.
As the Magpies are thin behind Isak at the striker position, currently working to acquire a replacement or backup in the transfer market, they are getting creative during preseason. Anthony Gordon has played up front, while new signing Anthony Elanga could also deputise if needed.
The only injury concern at the moment is to Joe Willock who suffered a calf problem and will miss around a month, which is good news considering there were concerns he had torn his Achilles after being carried off on a stretcher late in their preseason match against the K-League All-Stars. Sven Botman is a doubt with a groin issue, but it is not thought to be serious.
Howe will likely start with a strong side before making wholesale changes during the game, with Newcastle playing Espanyol in a friendly the day before.
Newcastle predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Pope (GK) — Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett — Guimaraes, Miley — Murphy, Joelinton, Elanga — Gordon
Injured: Willock (calf), Botman (groin, doubt)
MORE: All the latest Newcastle news | 2025/26 Premier League top goal scorers list
Club legend Antoine Griezmann signed on for one more year despite speculation over an exit, but at 34 years old he is no longer a bang-on everyday starter.
New signing Johnny Cardoso must earn a place amidst a crowded central midfield that includes Koke, Conor Gallagher, Pablo Barrios, and fellow new signing Marc Pubill. Also brought in this summer were wingers Alex Baena and Thiago Almada who should factor in heavily for the coming campaign.
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup (4-4-2, right to left): Oblak (GK) — Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri — Simeone, Koke, Gallagher, Baena — Sorloth, Alvarez
Injured: None
Newcastle vs. Atletico Madrid live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this preseason friendly match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Date | Time | TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | Sat, Aug. 9 | 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT | CBS Sports Network | Fubo, NUFC TV |
| Canada | Sat, Aug. 9 | 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT | — | NUFC TV |
| UK | Sat, Aug. 9 | 4 p.m. BST | — | NUFC TV |
| Australia | Sun, Aug. 10 | 1 a.m. AEST | — | NUFC TV |
| India | Sat, Aug. 9 | 7:30 p.m. IST | — | NUFC TV |
