Preview

 

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Pre-Season Friendlies clash between Rotherham United and Newcastle United, including predictions, team news and head-to-head records.

Newcastle United continue their preparations for the new Premier League campaign with a short trip to the New York Stadium to face Rotherham United.

While the Magpies head into Tuesday's fixture on the back of a victory at Doncaster Rovers, the Millers have avoided defeat in five matches against lower-league opposition.

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Match preview

With squad members having recorded positive coronavirus tests and any takeover being significantly delayed, Steve Bruce cannot be happy with Newcastle's pre-season thus far.

Nevertheless, Bruce will welcome another opportunity for his players to get more minutes under their belt having being involved in a five-goal thriller at Doncaster.

Newcastle made a strong impression in the final third, but Bruce will have concerns that a team full of Premier League quality conceded twice at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Although the North-East giants should have more personnel available come the beginning of the campaign, improvements will need to be made for their upcoming fixture.

Ryan Fraser, on the back of an inconsistent first year at St James' Park, was the main plus point as he recorded a goal and an assist.

As far as Rotherham are concerned, Paul Warne will be satisfied with what he has witnessed during the club's five outings since July 10.

While some of those fixtures have involved the academy talent at the League One outfit, winning will naturally breed confidence ahead of what should be a challenging campaign back in the third tier.

A single goal from Michael Ihiekwe proved to be the difference against Grimsby Town on Saturday, the defender scoring for the third friendly in succession.

Despite some key men having departed the club since their relegation from the Championship, Warne will feel that his current crop are showing signs that they can make a bid for the third-tier title.

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Team News

Bruce has already confirmed that Karl Darlow will remain absent for Newcastle as he continues to recover from coronavirus.

Goalkeeper Mark Gillespie may return between the sticks, while Matt Ritchie should be back in contention after no risks were taken on his fitness on Friday.

While Emil Krafth and Fabian Schar are due to return to training after representing their nations at Euro 2020, they are unlikely to be involved.

Warne made the decision to hand seven players the full 90 minutes versus Grimsby, putting their places at risk for this fixture.

Joe Mattock and Jerome Greaves may be handed a start after remaining as unused substitutes at the weekend.

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Head To Head

Newcastle have dominated the competitive fixtures between these two teams, prevailing in 10 of 17 games since 1953.

The North-East outfit netted five goals without reply in the Championship double-header during 2016-17, extending Rotherham's winless record to 12 contests.

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We say: Rotherham United 1-3 Newcastle United

Having played more football than Newcastle this summer, Rotherham will be confident of matching their opponents in front of a home crowd. Nevertheless, we are backing the Magpies to register a relatively comfortable win in Yorkshire.

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