Confirmed Newcastle United line up v Mainz 05 – three absentees explained as Sven Botman starts
Newcastle United take on Mainz 05 at the Kufstein Arena in Austria this afternoon (3pm kick-off) - but how will Eddie Howe’s side line-up against the Bundesliga outfit?
After cruising to a comfortable 3-0 victory against 1860 Munich in Saalfelden on Friday, Newcastle are preparing to face stronger opposition in the form of Mainz, who finished 8th in the German top flight last term.
In the previous match, Eddie Howe named a starting line-up that changed entirely in the second half. Sven Botman was introduced for Jamaal Lascelles at half-time and the rest of the side changed on the hour mark.
Federico Fernandez (calf), Kell Watts (knee) Jamal Lewis (calf) and Matt Ritchie (tightness) sat the 1860 Munich game out but Ritchie has returned this afternoon. Matty Longstaff and Jay Turner-Cooke were named on the bench but didn’t get on the pitch.
Once again Howe is expected to give plenty of players a decent run-out this afternoon as they prepare for the upcoming Premier League season on August 6.
NUFC XI to face Mainz 05: Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Dummett; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Fraser, Wood
1. Martin Dubravka - 6
Collected a deflected effort in the first half and made a good diving save to deny Anton Stach’s free-kick. Could have potentially closed down better for Mainz’s opening goal. Photo: Stu Forster
2. Kieran Trippier - 6
Led the side out at the Kufstein Arena on Monday afternoon. Saw a free-kick deflect over the crossbar in the first-half and a quick free-kick from him in the second caused Mainz to counter and score the opening goal. The England international was not happy with the referee for not pulling play back. Photo: PAUL ELLIS
3. Fabian Schar - 7
Linked up well with Botman to play the ball out from the back and made a good block early in the second half to prevent Mainz opening the scoring. Was withdrawn early as a precaution after looking to have overstretched slightly. Photo: Gareth Copley
4. Sven Botman - 7
Was solid in the air and on the ground. Will have been disappointed to concede just moments before being taken off.