Burton Albion host Newcastle United in their final pre season match of the summer as preparations are well underway for the upcoming campaign.

It's the second Premier League side coming to the Pirelli Stadium in under a week.

The away side travel to Staffordshire off the back of a 1-1 draw with Rotherham United on Tuesday night, meanwhile Burton's latest friendly ended in a 2-1 defeat to non-league outfit Alfreton Town - also on Tuesday.

Team news

With pre-season the best chance for coaches to see their players ahead of competitive fixtures, it allows for experiment and trying new things. 

Unlike many top flight sides, the Magpies haven't opted for the two different 11's in each half yet, and have just made substitutes throughout so far.

Steve Bruce went strong against the Millers, so could go strong again here

Meanwhile the Brewers have been chopping and changing a lot as Jimmy Floyd-Haselbaink is likely trying to find his best starting team ahead of their season opener next weekend against Shrewsbury Town.

We could see Albion field a similar team to the one that defeated Leicester City last weekend on penalties. However, they'll be without Louis Moult who was ruled out for up to five months after sustaining a ligament injury against the Foxes.

New signing and Welsh defender Ryan Leak could make his first official start for Burton after he impressed as a trialist against the Fa Cup winners.

Predicted lineups

Burton Albion - 4-2-3-1: Garratt; Brayford, Leak, Mancienne, Hamer; O'Connor, Shaughnessy; Akins, Maddox, Smith; Hemmings.

Newcastle United - 4-4-2 : Woodman, Clark, Fernandez, Lascelles, Lewis; Fraser, Hayden, Longstaff, Ritchie; Gayle, Wilson.

  • Ones to watch

Michael Mancienne - Burton Albion

Michael Mancienne signed for the Brewers back in February, initially on a contract until the end of the season, but finds himself at The Pirelli for another year after impressing so much during his half season cameo. Haselbaink is a huge fan of the 33-year-old who has played most of the pre-season as a centre half. The former Chelsea man can also play in defensive midfield and anywhere across the back four.

He has captained the side multiple times in midfield and could turn out to have a big impact on the team this season.

His experience and pace at the back can be a problem for any striker, and he's known for a big tackle and it could be hard for the Newcastle players to get a lot of time on the ball if they're up against him.

Ryan Fraser - Newcastle United

It's been a tough year for Ryan Fraser after joining the Mags on a free transfer, the Scotland international only made 18 appearances in the Premier League, without finding the back of the net. It could be a make or break season for Fraser at this point of his career and could use these last couple of friendlies to get in the right frame of mind ahead of the start of the new season.

His pace and trickery will be good use to Bruce's men if utilised properly. He needs a goal to boost his confidence, and get him off to a good start. Whoever is on the side which Fraser is attacking will probably be in for a long night, trying to keep up with the 5'3 winger has never been an easy task.

Previous meetings

The two sides have only ever met twice before, when they were playing in the Championship back in 2016/2017. Newcaslte won 2-1 away, and 1-0 at home.

How to watch

Unfortunately, the game won't be streamed by either club - however NUFC TV will be providing live audio, as well as local radio stations. There's expected to be a full crowd at the Pirelli with the Magpies set to bring a large following. Kick-off is at 19:45 BST.