Overview
Newcastle has reason to worry after the 1-3 defeat to Everton, especially when their performance has not shown their readiness before the new season.
Coach Matthias Jaissle admitted that the team still has a lot of work to do before the Premier League opening match against Liverpool on August 23. Newcastle was led 3-0 by Everton and only had a consolation goal by Harvey Barnes in the 85th minute.
The pressure is even greater as Newcastle has lost some important players such as Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes. With little remaining time, the Northeast England team needs to continue to strengthen their forces if they do not want to enter the season with a squad lacking depth.
The friendly results of the "Magpies" are also not really convincing. Newcastle won 2, drew 1 and lost 2 in 5 matches, scored 8 goals but conceded 9 goals. More worryingly, St James' Park is no longer a solid support. After two consecutive victories at the end of last season, they have gone through a series of 9 home matches with 6 defeats, 1 draw and only 2 wins.
While Newcastle is still struggling to find stability, Bayer Leverkusen has had a fairly positive preparation despite just experiencing a disappointing season.
Leverkusen only ranked sixth in the Bundesliga last season with 59 points, 10 points behind the 2024-2025 season and 31 points behind the season they won the championship in 2023-2024. Erik ten Hag and Kasper Hjulmand both left their coaching positions, before Carles Martinez was assigned to lead the team.
Leverkusen will open the season with a match against Wehen Wiesbaden at the DFB-Pokal on August 22, before facing Elversberg in the Bundesliga a week later.
Leverkusen's friendly form brings many positive signs. They won all 5 matches before losing to Nottingham Forest, and also had 3 clean sheets.
Recent head-to-head history between the two teams is quite balanced. The last time Newcastle met Leverkusen was a 2-2 draw in the Champions League in December 2025. Previously, Leverkusen won one and drew one in two encounters with the English representative.
Personnel situation
Newcastle is almost certain to arrange new player Bazoumana Toure on the left wing of the attack, while Anthony Elanga is likely to take on the opposite wing if fit enough.
The midfield is the area that is giving Matthias Jaissle a headache as Newcastle has lost both Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes. Aladji Bamba has just been brought in from Monaco, but the Austrian coach may have to pair him with Joelinton from the start.
Lewis Hall is still uncertain to recover in time for this weekend's match. If this left-back continues to be absent, Dylan Charlton is likely to be given a chance to start.
On Leverkusen's side, Victor Boniface was only on the bench in the match against Nottingham Forest. After the 2025-2026 season being affected by injury, the fact that this striker is playing regularly in the preparation period is of great significance.
Aleix Garcia will also not start against Forest. The possibility of the Spanish midfielder being given at least 45 minutes to play in the match against Newcastle is quite high.
Expected lineup:
Newcastle: Hornicek, Shahar, Thiaw, Botman, Charlton, Bamba, Joelinton, Elanga, Wissa, Toure, Osula.
Bayer Leverkusen: Blaswich, Vazquez, Bade, Belocian, Gutierrez, Fernandez, Garcia, Poku, Maza, Terrier, Boniface.
The match between Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen takes place at 9:00 p.m. on August 15 (Vietnam time).
