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Newcastle United's pre-season campaign continues on Saturday, when they travel to take on non-league opponents Gateshead at Gateshead International Stadium.
The Toon's 2025-26 was a disappointing one given they finished 12th in the Premier League, while hosts Gateshead will also have been disappointed by their showings last term considering they battled relegation from the National League for much of the season.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Gateshead vs Newcastle United key stats
- Newcastle have now scored exactly three goals in three of their five most recent matches.
- Gateshead scored three goals in their last two friendlies against Newcastle.
- Newcastle have only led at half time in one of their past seven friendlies.
Gateshead vs Newcastle United preview: A key summer for the Magpies
Gateshead vs Newcastle United — Tale of the Tape
| Gateshead | vs | Newcastle United |
|---|---|---|
| 5th (2025-26 National League) | Position | 12th (2025-26 Premier League) |
| 50 | Points | 49 |
| 54 | Goals For | 53 |
| 90 | Goals Against | 55 |
| 7 | Clean Sheets | 8 |
| 21st | Home / Away Rank | 15th |
Gateshead finished 18th in the fifth tier of English football last term, with their tally of 50 points only enough to see them finish three places and eight points above the relegation zone.
Lee Cattermole was appointed as manager in June 2026, and fans will be wary about the 38-year-old given he has never taken on the responsibility of head coach before.
The hosts have played three friendlies this summer already, beating Blyth Town 6-0 on July 7, before drawing 1-1 with Heaton Stannington on July 11 and 3-3 with Hebburn Town on July 14.
It remains to be seen how Gateshead will deal with the absence of striker Kain Adom, who ended the 2025-26 campaign as the club's top scorer in the league (10), with his transfer to Burton Albion a significant blow.
Newcastle failed to qualify for Europe last term, and their general performances were incredibly alarming, in part due to the club's disastrous summer transfer window, particularly as they failed to adequately replace striker Alexander Isak.
Toon fans will hope that 2026 will be less disruptive and more productive, but the sale of Sandro Tonali and the potential exit of Bruno Guimaraes could leave the team's midfield exposed in the Premier League next season.
Head coach Eddie Howe has taken charge of one friendly so far, with his side emerging as 3-0 victors over Darlington on July 18, and it should be noted that they did end 2025-26 having won two of their final three games while also avoiding defeat.
Newcastle signing Bazoumana Toure is reportedly set to join up with the club on Friday, so perhaps he will be ready to play a minor role against Gateshead following his transfer from Hoffenheim.
Gateshead vs Newcastle United form guide & betting tips
| GAT | vs | NEW |
|---|---|---|
LLWDD |
Form | WDWLW |
| 11 | Goals For | 10 |
| 10 | Goals Against | 5 |
WDD |
Friendly form | W |
Whispers predicts: Gateshead 1-3 Newcastle United
While Newcastle have played fewer games so far this pre-season, they possess significantly more quality within their squad, so they should be seen as favourites.
Factoring in their single pre-season clash, Newcastle have found goalscoring easier in recent times, and a bet of Over 2.5 Goals for Newcastle should be considered.
Whether Gateshead can win remains to be seen, but they have at managed to score against Newcastle, and perhaps it would be safe to predict Under 1.5 Goals for Gateshead.
While the Toon will be seen as favourites, they have had difficulties taking leads into the interval of friendlies, so a Draw at Half Time may be a sensible bet.
> Over 2.5 Goals for Newcastle | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 1.5 Goals for Gateshead | Likelihood: Possible
> Draw at Half Time | Likelihood: Possible