Aston Villa (a) SOLD OUT
Liverpool (h) ST forwarding / resale now
Leeds (a) Sales closed
Wolves (h) Member ballot closed
Bmouth (a) ST applications open Mon 25.08, 2pm
Arsenal (h) Member ballot opens Mon 18.08, Noon

Update:
Isak: stand-off continues 

Update:
Pope on pole 

Update:
Defender deal done - confirmation awaited 

Departure:
Oddy off the books

Tuesday brought confirmation that Newcastle goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos has made a season-long loan switch to Spanish side Seville.

It's reported that deal for the Greek international has no option for a permanent switch and that the majority of his wages will continue to be paid by the Magpies.

Avoiding relegation last season by one point means that there's no European football for Seville this time round.

Vlachodimos was an unexpected arrival at SJP from Nottingham Forest 12 months ago as both clubs sought to comply with PSR requirements and made just a single competitive appearance - in the Carabao Cup.

National League Cup:
Gateshead (a)

Newcastle U21s have entered the National League Cup once again this season and will begin their Group Stage games on Wednesday over the River Tyne at Gateshead.

It's a 7.30pm kick-off at the International Stadium and tickets are on sale now for just £5 (£2 U16s) from the home club online here. A limit of 1,000 fans has been imposed.

United are in Group D of the 32 team competition and after playing Gateshead face visits to Boston United, Scunthorpe United and Halifax Town before the turn of the year.

If ties are drawn after 90 minutes each team gets a point and a penalty shootout takes place for an extra point.

Leeds United, Boro and the mackems make up our group, but along with ourselves only come up against the four National League teams, not each other.

Now managed by ex-Magpie Alun Armstrong, the Tynesiders suffered a 0-3 home loss to Southend United in their National League season opener on Saturday.

Following Wednesday's game, the U21s begin their PL2 fixture progamme on Sunday, when Southampton are the visitors to Whitley Park this coming Sunday at 3pm.

Giveaway:
Pitch prediction

We've partnered with Pitch Publishing, a sports book publisher with an already extensive range of NUFC related titles and several more due for release later in 2025.

Published on Monday, "The Battle for Newcastle United" is journalist Andrew Nagy's first book - an autobiographical account of a lifetime following Newcastle United.

He recounts his story via a 27 game selection, starting with the teenage optimism of the 1992 home win over Bristol City that began Kevin Keegan's second spell and ending with the Champions League humbling of PSG on Tyneside in 2023. 

Without giving the game(s) away, Andrew's choices are memorable - but not always for positive reasons. A cast of heroes and villains appear; Ned Kelly and Sir Les are in there alongside JFK, the FCB and the bloke who liked bacon.

To be in with a chance of winning a copy, we simply require you to predict the full time score in Newcastle's Premier League opener at Aston Villa this coming Saturday.

Email [email protected] with your answer by 10am BST on Saturday August 16th, subject line of Pitch. 

No age limit, open to all but delivery only to a UK address. One entry each please. In the event of a tie, one winner will be randomly drawn from all correct entries received.

Check out the Pitch catalogue here and find offers on current and future NUFC titles on Amazon here

PS: Andrew Nagy is signing his books at Waterstones in Newcastle from 1pm on Saturday week, August 23rd.

Premier League:
Aston Villa (a)

Latest PL fixtures:

Fri 15.08.2025:
Liverpool v Bournemouth (8pm) Sky

Sat 16.08.2025:
Aston Villa v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT
Brighton & Hove Albion v Fulham (3pm)
mackems v West Ham (3pm)
Spurs v Burnley (3pm)
Wolves v Manchester City (5.30pm) Sky

Sun 17.08.2025:
Chelsea v Crystal Palace (2pm) Sky
Nottingham Forest v Brentford (2pm) Sky
Manchester United v Arsenal (4.30pm) Sky

Mon 18.08.2025:
Leeds United v Everton (8pm) Sky

AVFC: To follow

Referee: Craig Pawson - the South Yorkshire whistler gets our season-opener for a second successive season, having presided over a 1-0 home win against Southampton.

Newcastle have been awarded penalties in the last three away games that Pawson has handled and are unbeaten in each of the last seven away games that he refereed:
 
Mar 2022 Everton (a) lost 0-1
May 2022 Burnley (a) won 2-1
Oct 2022 Manchester United (a) drew 0-0
Jan 2023 Crystal Palace (a) drew 0-0
April 2023 West Ham (a) won 5-1
Jan 2024 mackems (a) won 3-0
Oct 2024 Everton (a) drew 0-0
May 2025 Brighton (a) drew 1-1

VAR: Peter Bankes

UK TV: Live on TNT Sports

City centre bars with live TV coverage include:

The Dog & Parrot on Clayton Street West.
Frate in the Bigg Market.

The game will be live at WonderBar in The Gate.

Overseas TV: to follow

UK Radio: Live on talkSPORT

Metro: No scheduled disruptions

Rail: Scheduled disruptions are online here

Reduced services will run to and from London Euston, leading to some amended departure and arrival times for services to and from Birmingham New Street.

Stats:

Toon @ Villa Park - PL era:

2024/25 lost 1-4 Schar
2023/24 won 3-1 Schar 2, og(Moreno)
2022/23 lost 0-3
2021/22 lost 0-2
2020/21 lost 0-2
2019/20 lost 0-2
2016/17 drew 1-1 og(Elphick) (Ch)
2015/16 drew 0-0
2014/15 drew 0-0
2013/14 won 2-1 Ben Arfa, Gouffran
2012/13 won 2-1 Cisse, Cabaye
2011/12 drew 1-1 Best
2010/11 lost 0-1
2008/09 lost 0-1
2007/08 lost 1-4 Owen
2006/07 lost 0-2
2005/06 won 2-1 Ameobi, N'Zogbia
2004/05 lost 2-4 Kluivert, O'Brien
2003/04 drew 0-0
2002/03 won 1-0 Shearer
2001/02 drew 1-1 Shearer
2000/01 drew 1-1 Solano
2000/01 lost 1-0 (FAC)
1999/00 won 1-0 Ferguson
1998/99 lost 0-1
1997/98 won 1-0 Batty
1996/97 drew 2-2 Shearer, Clark
1995/96 drew 1-1 Ferdinand
1994/95 won 2-0 Lee, Cole
1993/94 won 2-0 Allen (pen), Cole

Update:
Youngster secured

Monday saw Newcastle confirm the signing of England youth international captain Isaac Moran, after he refused an offer to remain with Liverpool's academy.

The 16 year-old central defender/defensive midfielder will join up with United's U18 squad as a first year scholar.

Moran's arrival comes after Oliver Goodbrand and Alfie Hutchison were secured from Rangers during the close season to augment Newcastle's academy ranks.

It's also claimed the Magpies have reached agreement to sign Muawiya Ghanem from West Bromwich Albion - a 15 year-old midfielder. 

United's U18s begin their league season on Saturday, hosting Blackburn Rovers at Little Benton (12.30pm).

Update:
Wissa missing again

Brentford continued their pre-season on Friday night with a 2-2 home draw against Borussia Munchengladbach, but that was achieved without forward Yoane Wissa.

The DR Congo international who turns 29 next month had returned to training with the Bees earlier in the week, but wasn't selected by head coach Keith Andrews.

Newcastle's interest in signing the player who remains under contract until 2026 (with a 12 month option after that) is no secret, but Brentford's interest in selling looks to hinge on their success in signing a replacement.

That is claimed to be Bournemouth's Dango Ouattara - who didn't feature as the Cherries drew 1-1 against Real Sociedad at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday teatime.

However the 23 year-old did feature in a training ground kickabout against Sociedad earlier the same day.

Also linked with Brentford (and Newcastle) over the weekend was Rennes forward Arnaud Kalimuendo.

2025/26:
Outgunned

Arsenal U18s  4  Newcastle U18s  0

Ahead of this week's season opener, United's youngsters suffered a friendly defeat behind closed at Arsenal's London Colney HQ on Saturday morning.

Loan lads:
The borrowers

Four Magpies are on temporary postings as follows:

Odysseas Vlachodimos (Seville):
Athletic Bilbao (a) Primera Liga, Sunday.

Aidan Harris (Coleraine):
The 18 year-old goalkeeper has made a half-season loan switch to the Northern Ireland League side. He kept a clean sheet on his debut as Coleraine beat Larne 1-0 at home in their season opener on Sunday.

Antonio Cordero (KVC Westerlo):
A 0-1 home loss to Mechelen in the Belgian Pro League on Saturday saw the forward appear as a 72nd minute replacement. The visitors netted an 84th minute winner.

Joe White (Leyton Orient):
The midfielder arrived in the 87th minute of a 2-0 home win over Wigan Athletic in League One on Saturday and only a fine save prevented his free kick extending the O's lead.

2025/26:
No Spanish stroll 

Newcastle  2  Espanyol  2

Match action

Match report

Old boy:
Mexico move for Maxi

Just over two years after leaving Newcastle, former Magpie Allan Saint-Maximin is on his third new club, travelling to Mexico after agreeing to sign for Club America.

Swapping Tyneside for Saudi Arabia in July 2023 when joining the Al Ahli club, the 28 year-old spent a year in Jeddah before securing a loan to Turks Fenerbahce.

Returning to Al Ahli when that deal expired, Maxi flew into Mexico City and put pen to paper on a four year deal, belatedly confirmed on Tuesday at a cost of £9m. 
 
PS: Another SJP old boy with Mexican league experience is on the move. Florian Thauvin has joined Racing Club Lens in his native France, following a spell in Italy with Udinese. Now 32, Thauvin moved to Mexican side Tigres in 2021.

Update:
Bournemouth (a)

Application details for September's visit to Bournemouth:

Applications open: Mon 25.08.2025 @ 2pm
Applications close: Tue 26.08.2025 @ 2pm
Sales open: Wed 27.08.2025 @ 2pm
Sales close: Fri 29.08.2025 @ 2pm

NUFC away ticket process changes are detailed here

Note that this game could yet move depending on the Champions League calendar. On that basis, the club are obliged to offer refunds if a different date means supporters are then unable to attend.

2025/26:
Second kit released

Buy 2025/26 season kits online here from JD Sports.

Meltdown:
Isak timeline

Sun 04.05 Isak scored his 54th Premier League goal (62nd in all competitions) for Newcastle - a penalty in a 1-1 draw at Brighton.

Sun 18.05 Isak missed the 0-1 Premier League loss at Arsenal, Howe told the media that he'd had a scan on a groin problem and rest rather than surgery was forecast.

Sun 25.05 Isak played the entirety of a 0-1 Premier loss at home to Everton, Newcastle's season-ending fixture.

Tue 27.05 Isak withdrew from Sweden's squad for two games in June due to a minor injury, presumably groin.

Mon 14.07 Isak was part of the Newcastle party that flew to Austria for a week-long training camp.

Tue 15.07 The Athletic reported that Liverpool had made it know they were prepared to pay £120m for Isak.

Sat 19.07 Isak was absent as Newcastle faced Celtic; Eddie Howe told the media that he'd allowed him to leave the squad as he needed "more training time" but that he expected him to join the club's upcoming tour of Asia.

Mon 21.07 Isak trained away from the rest of the squad at Darsley Park but reportedly cut short the session.

(some sources claim this may have been on 22.07)

Tue 22.07 Newcastle reportedly switched targets to Brentford's Yoane Wissa, to augment (or replace) Isak.

Wed 23.07 Liverpool completed the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike, a player Newcastle had attempted to sign to augment (or replace) Isak.

Thu 24.07 Isak wasn't on the plane to Singapore and multiple media outlets reported he'd "told Newcastle he wants to explore a move away from the club".

The Times wrote that Isak refused to accept improved terms and an extension to his current Newcastle contract, allegedly seeking £300k per week - an amount the club wouldn't be able to meet given their financial status.

Fri 25.07 The Guardian wrote that Isak had been offered a basic weekly wage of £600K by Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.

Sat 26.07 Howe met the media in Singapore and had no update on Isak's thigh injury but called it minimal and was still confident that he would remain a Newcastle player. 

Sun 27.07 Newcastle lost 2-3 to Arsenal, Howe telling reporters there was "no chance" Isak would be in Korea. 

Mon 28.07 Newcastle arrived in Korea without Isak.

Tue 29.07 Howe told the media that no bid had been received for Isak and he remained a Magpie.

Wed 30.07 Spanish media claims Isak is training alone in San Sebastian.

Fri 01.08 Liverpool bid claimed to be £120m rejected.

Mon 04.08 Isak returns to Darsley Park but is made to train separately from the rest of the senior squad.

Fri 08.08 Omitted from the squad for a home friendly against Espanyol, Howe told the media Isak was fit but made him unavailable for selection. No disciplinary action had been taken against him that he was aware of.

Book giveaway:
Compo answer

While we've had our fair share of player autobiographies, the group of ex-Magpies who are also published fiction authors is an exclusive one - and to combine both of those careers with serving in the police force is surely a unique CV. 

That latter part of his life influenced "Betrayed Trust", the debut book from former Newcastle United midfielder Tony Nesbitt, writing under the pen name Tom Hair. 

Dark tales of misdeeds in his native Wearside inform the first DC Dan Kilford novel, Tony taking inspiration from colleagues and criminals alike encountered during his service.  

An FA Youth Cup winner with United in 1985, Tony's senior playing career was decimated by injury and caused his radical employment shift. Read more about that in a chat with veteran journalist John Gibson here

We had copies of "Betrayed Trust" up for grabs and asked which ground Tony's league debut for Newcastle away to Charlton Athletic came at.

It was Selhurst Park and among those who successfully answered were Michael Murphy and Keith Rainbow.

(Buy "Betrayed Trust" online here via Amazon)

2025/26:
TV times

The Premier League have confirmed their live TV picks for September, with one Newcastle game rescheduled:

Sat 13.09.2025 Wolves (h) 3pm no live UK TV
Sat 20.09.2025 Bournemouth (a) 3pm no live UK TV
Sun 28.09.2025 Arsenal (h) 4.30pm Sky

The Arsenal game falls between Newcastle's midweek Carabao Cup Third Round tie* and the second round of Champions League fixtures, spread across Tuesday September 30th and Wednesday October 1st.

With reference to the Bournemouth away game, just because it hasn't been selected for live TV, that doesn't confirm 100% that it will be a 3pm Saturday kick-off.

The first round of Champions League fixtures take place on the preceding Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: were Newcastle to be in action on the Thursday, that would result in the Bournemouth game moving to the Sunday. 

While the Spurs v Wolves game picked for Sky on Sunday 28th is liable to change if Spurs are playing a Champions League tie on the 30th, there's no similar advice regarding our game v Arsenal on the same day - reason unknown.

The situation mirrors for our game regardless of that: were ourselves or Arsenal to be playing in the Champions League on the 30th then we would not meet in the PL on the 28th.

So in real terms, only the Wolves game is now confirmed, with the other three liable to possible change in the days following the Champions League draw on August 28th.

* that is split over two successive midweeks, with teams involved in the Champions League assured of playing their Carabao Cup tie during second of the two weeks.

There are no scheduled rail works between London Kings Cross on the day of the Arsenal game. For once.

The Bournemouth game looks unaffected by rail engineering work on the Saturday. Were it to be played on the Sunday, trains would still run direct to and from London but with average journey times extended by 45 minutes and trains not calling at either Basingstoke or Winchester.

2025/26:
Arsenal (h) tickets

Arsenal (h): Ballot opens Mon 18.08.2025 Noon, closes Tue 19.08.2025 Noon. Winners notified Wed 20.08.2025 by 11am, seat selection opens Wed 20.08.2025 Noon, closes Fri 22.08.2025 Noon. ST fwding/resale Friday 22.08.2025 4pm. Member Sale Mon 25.08.2025 10am.

Old boys:
Comings & goings 

PL era first team Magpies on the move recently:

Tom Allan Darlington
Jean-Alain Boumsong Auxerre C
Andy Carroll Dagenham & Redbridge
Luuk De Jong Porto
Martin Dubravka Burnley
Stuart Findlay Hearts
Massadio Haidara Kocealispor
Grant Hanley Hibernian
Sean Longstaff Leeds United
Salomon Rondon Real Oviedo (loan)
Nolberto Solano Pakistan C
Allan Saint-Maximin Club America
Ki Sung-yeung Pohang Steelers
Florian Thauvin RC Lens
Andros Townsend Kanchanabori Power
Freddie Woodman Liverpool
Callum Wilson West Ham
Mike Williamson Rangers C

PL era first team Magpies clubless but not retired tbc:

Rolando Aarons
Mehdi Abeid
Hatem Ben Arfa
Ciaran Clark
Paul Dummett
Isaac Hayden
Jeff Hendrick
Kazenga LuaLua
Jamal Lewis
Chancel Mbemba
Jonjo Shelvey

1961 Odense (Denmark) (h) 2-0 (2-0)
Friendly 
Allchurch(3,24)
9,869
Having beaten Aarhus at SJP the previous Wednesday, United warmed up for their Division Two season with another friendly win against Danish opposition.

Odense had lost 1-5 on wearside in midweek, while Aarhus moved on to Roker Park and conceded three goals without reply.

Team: Hollins, Keith, Ferguson, Neale, McGrath, Dalton, Allchurch, Leek, Hughes, McGuigan, Tuohy.

1961 United's reserve side recorded a 1-0 friendly victory at Hartlepools United after Jackie Bell converted a penalty kick.

Fellow Magpie Ken Hale had earlier missed a spot kick, while teenager Colin Clish earned good reviews for his display at left back.

1962 The Republic of Ireland beat Iceland 4-2 in a European Cup Qualifier staged in Dublin. Newcastle's Liam Tuohy won his fifth full international cap, scoring once.

1967 Middlesbrough (h)
2-0 (0-0)
Friendly 
Davies(72), Hilley(87)
13,850
Four days after losing 2-3 at Ayresome Park in another friendly, Joe Harvey's side gained their revenge at SJP in an unimpressive victory.

Jimmy Scott debuted following his arrival from Hibernian but United posed little threat in front of goal, until replacement 'keeper Maurice Short fumbled a Pop Robson header and Wyn Davies kneed the loose ball into the net.

Substitute Dave Hilley then added gloss to the scoreline with a late solo strike in United's second and final pre-season outing.

Team: Marshall (McFaul), Craig, Clark, Elliott, McGrath (Burton), Iley (Moncur), Scott, Bennett (Hilley), Davies, B.Robson, T.Robson (McNamee).

1972 Wolverhampton Wanderers (h)
2-1 (2-1)
Division One
P1, 2pts, 5th/22 
Green(11), Tudor(12)  
Kindon(17)
33,790 
Wolves netted through debutant Steve Kindon but United were already two goals up, Tony Green's opener a beauty from the edge of the box that whistled past 'keeper Phil Parkes.

1994 Northern Ireland XI (a) 5-2 (3-1)
Friendly 
Cole(14), Fox(20), Lee(41), Mathie(78), Elliott(80)
Rowland(15), Dennison(75) 
7,000
United returned to Belfast's Linfield Park to participate in a Testimonial for ex-mackem and Northern Ireland boss Billy Bingham. 

Included in the home select XI were many former heroes from Billy's teams including Gerry Armstrong - responsible for Bingham's finest moments in the 1982 World Cup.

Future Magpie Keith Gillespie was also in the home starting XI, alongside SJP old boys David McCreery and Ian Stewart. 

The game ended with Kevin Keegan playing for Newcastle and George Best for the Irish.

Team: Srnicek (Hooper 46), Hottiger, Beresford (Elliott 46), Venison, D.Peacock (Neilson 79), Albert, Lee (Jeffrey 79), Beardsley (Mathie 71), Cole, Fox (Keegan 79), Guppy (Drysdale 61).

1995 Tottenham Hotspur (a) 2-0 (1-0)
Friendly 
Sellars(45), Ferdinand(70)
17,288
An assured United display deservedly saw them win this Testimonial match for the long-serving Gary Mabbutt. 

New arrival Shaka Hislop made his debut in goal, while long-term injury victim Philippe Albert returned as a late substitute.

Team: Hislop, Barton, Beresford, Clark, D.Peacock, Elliott (Albert 75), Lee (Watson 72), Beardsley (Kitson 75), Ferdinand, Gillespie, Sellars (Fox 56).
Subs n/u: Srnicek, S.Elliott.

1998 Following promotion from the Pontins League Third Division the previous season (after reforming the reserves and returning on the bottom rung), United began their Division Two campaign at Shrewsbury Town.

They returned from Gay Meadow with a 3-1 win thanks to Paul Robinson and a brace from Paul Dalglish.

2000 Newcastle U17s notched up a 10-2 win over Darlington in a friendly at Durham's Maiden Castle. 

Michael Chopra led the way with seven goals, while Louis Carr added a hat-trick.

2005 Newcastle manager Graeme Souness responded to press claims United were attempting to sign Michael Owen:

"Without exciting the fans too much, I think there is a good chance. We are still in there."

2006 Ireland boss Steve Staunton was hit by the withdrawal of Shay Given from his squad. The Magpies goalkeeper had sustained a back injury when clearing the ball against Ventspils.

2009 The League Cup Second Round draw paired United with League One Huddersfield Town, setting up a SJP return for Terriers boss Lee Clark and his coaches Terry McDermott and Paul Stephenson.

2010 Mystery surrounded the future of Marseille midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa, amid reports that the player had walked out following the breakdown of his move to SJP.

French media reported that Ben Arfa stormed out of a club meeting at which his agent and lawyer were present, vowing not to play for OM again.

A hastily-arranged press conference was then dumped as OM president Jean-Claude Dassier addressed reporters in a car park, saying that:

"The Newcastle offer does not exist. Hatem Ben Arfa is staying at Marseille."

It would take another fortnight of haggling before a season-long loan to Gallowgate was thrashed out.

2013 Newcastle's U21 side began their league campaign with a 2-4 loss to Reading at the Madejski Stadium.

Gael Bigirimana and 16 year-old debutant Adam Armstrong netted for the Magpies while French teen Olivier Kemen also made his bow but was forced off through injury.
NUFC.com match report

2019 It was a Hog Roast for the U23s in their opening league fixture as they left Reading's Hogwood Park training HQ on the wrong end of a 0-6 stuffing.

There were debuts for goalkeeper Jake Turner and midfielder Kyle Scott, while Owen Bailey was sent off with the score at 0-4.
NUFC.com match report

2023 Aston Villa (h)
5-1 (2-1)
Premier League
P1, 3pts, 1st/20
Tonali(6), Isak(16,58), Wilson(77), Barnes(90+1)
Diaby(11)
52,207
On the day that St. James' Park debuted a digital entry system, Unai Emery and his Villans had their cards well and truly marked courtesy of a devastating display of finishing from the black and whites. 

Debutants Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes began and ended the scoring, bookending Alexander Isak's brace and one from substitute Callum Wilson.
NUFC.com match report

2024 Online claims were made that MLS side Charlotte FC were attempting to finalise the signing of Miguel Almiron before the closure of their transfer window.