Newcastle host Liverpool at St James’ Park in one of the standout fixtures of the Premier League’s opening weekend. We preview the match, Alexander Isak’s return to Tyneside, the latest bet365 odds and our Newcastle vs Liverpool prediction.
The new Premier League season wastes little time delivering one of its most intriguing fixtures, with Newcastle United hosting Liverpool at St James’ Park on Sunday, August 23.
On paper, it is already an attractive opening-weekend matchup. Dig a little deeper, however, and there are storylines almost everywhere.
Both clubs begin the campaign under new managers. Both have undergone significant changes during the summer. And then there is Alexander Isak.
The former Newcastle striker returns to St James’ Park wearing Liverpool red, providing an obvious focal point for what should be one of the most heated matches of the Premier League's opening weekend.
For Liverpool, the match represents the beginning of the Andoni Iraola era. Newcastle, meanwhile, start life under Matthias Jaissle as they attempt to establish a new identity following a turbulent summer.
Here is our Newcastle vs Liverpool preview, including the latest bet365 odds, biggest talking points, players to watch and our match prediction.
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Match: Newcastle United vs Liverpool
Competition: Premier League
Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026
Venue: St James’ Park
Kick-off: 4:30 PM UK time
Liverpool head into the match as favourites, but opening weekends can be notoriously difficult to predict — particularly when two teams are undergoing this much change.
Liverpool's status as favourites is reflected in the latest match odds from bet365.
At the time of writing, the Reds are 6/5 to beat Newcastle at St James’ Park. Make sure to check Bet365 for the latest lines.
Latest bet365 odds:
Those prices make Liverpool the clear favourites, although Newcastle's home advantage makes this considerably more interesting than the odds alone might suggest.
St James’ Park can be one of the Premier League's most difficult grounds for visiting teams, and the atmosphere should be particularly intense given Isak's return.
Odds correct at the time of writing and subject to change.
This will not be the Newcastle side supporters became accustomed to seeing over the previous few seasons.
The club has undergone a significant reset during the summer, with Matthias Jaissle replacing Eddie Howe and several established players leaving St James’ Park.
Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon are among the major departures, leaving Jaissle with the difficult task of rebuilding Newcastle's midfield and attacking structure.
The strategy appears to have shifted towards younger players with the potential to develop into long-term contributors.
That could make Newcastle one of the Premier League's more unpredictable teams during the opening months of the season.
St James’ Park remains an advantage, however.
Liverpool know that better than most. Newcastle pushed the Reds all the way in a dramatic 3-2 Premier League defeat at St James’ Park last season, while the corresponding fixture the previous campaign finished 3-3.
Newcastle may have changed considerably since then, but the atmosphere should be every bit as hostile.
Especially for one Liverpool player.
There probably isn't a bigger individual storyline in the Premier League this weekend. Alexander Isak returns to St James’ Park wearing Liverpool red.
The Swedish striker left Newcastle for Liverpool in a £125 million move, but his first season at Anfield did not go entirely according to plan.
Now fully fit heading into the new campaign, Isak is expected to start at centre-forward for Liverpool. Beyond the emotion surrounding his return, Isak could be particularly important tactically.
Newcastle's revamped side may need time to develop its defensive organisation, while Liverpool have several players capable of creating opportunities around the penalty area.
If Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo can find space behind Newcastle's midfield, Isak should get chances.
That also makes the former Newcastle striker one of the obvious players to watch in bet365's goalscorer markets.
Liverpool's biggest change happened on the touchline.
Andoni Iraola takes charge of his first Premier League match as Liverpool manager after replacing Arne Slot.
Liverpool finished fifth last season, well below expectations for a club that had won the Premier League title the previous campaign.
That disappointment prompted another significant rebuild. Iraola now inherits a talented squad but also faces the challenge of implementing his own style quickly.
His teams have traditionally played aggressive, energetic football built around pressing opponents and attacking quickly when possession changes hands.
Liverpool certainly possess players suited to that approach.
Florian Wirtz remains one of the most creative players in the Premier League, while Cody Gakpo gives Liverpool another direct attacking option around Isak.
Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai could provide the athleticism behind them.
It may take several weeks before Liverpool completely resemble an Iraola team, but the potential is obvious.
Newcastle supporters may want to skip this section.
Liverpool's Premier League record against Newcastle has been extraordinary. The Reds enter Sunday's match unbeaten in their last 19 Premier League meetings with the Magpies.
Liverpool won both league encounters last season, including that entertaining 3-2 victory at St James’ Park and a 4-1 win at Anfield.
Newcastle did produce one significant victory over Liverpool recently, beating them in the 2025 League Cup final, but Premier League success against the Reds has remained elusive.
That history is another reason why Liverpool's 6/5 bet365 price will attract attention.
It is still an away fixture against a potentially dangerous opponent, but Liverpool have repeatedly found ways to get results against Newcastle.
There really couldn't be anyone else.
Isak's return will dominate the buildup, and Newcastle supporters will undoubtedly make their feelings known.
The question is whether he can channel that atmosphere into his performance.
A fully fit Isak remains one of the Premier League's most dangerous forwards, particularly when given opportunities inside the penalty area.
Wirtz could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of Iraola's attacking system.
His movement between midfield and attack can create enormous problems for teams struggling to maintain their defensive shape.
If Newcastle allow him to receive the ball between the lines, Liverpool could create plenty of chances.
With several prominent Newcastle attackers having departed, Barnes could assume a larger role this season.
His ability to cut inside and attack the penalty area gives Newcastle a genuine counter-attacking threat.
Liverpool's attacking approach could also leave space behind their full-backs, something Newcastle will surely look to exploit.
Newcastle's rebuilding job has not been helped by injuries heading into opening weekend.
Joelinton is expected to miss the match, removing another experienced player from an already transformed midfield.
There are also concerns surrounding Tino Livramento and Fabian Schär.
Those absences could be particularly important against a Liverpool attack featuring Isak, Wirtz and Gakpo.
Newcastle may therefore need to be relatively cautious during the opening stages rather than turning Sunday's game into an end-to-end contest immediately.
This is one of those matches where the first 20 minutes could tell us quite a lot.
Newcastle will surely want to use the crowd.
An aggressive start could make life uncomfortable for Liverpool while Iraola's players are still adjusting to a new tactical system.
But there is risk involved.
Liverpool possess enough speed and creativity to punish Newcastle if the Magpies press too aggressively and leave space behind.
The visitors should ultimately control more possession, with Newcastle looking for opportunities to attack quickly when Liverpool lose the ball.
If Newcastle can keep the match level deep into the second half, the atmosphere at St James’ Park could become a major factor.
An early Liverpool goal would completely change the equation.
Liverpool at 6/5 with bet365 is the obvious starting point for anyone looking at the match-result market.
There are several other markets that could be interesting, however.
Both Teams to Score is one to watch. Recent Premier League meetings at St James’ Park have produced goals, including Liverpool's 3-2 victory last season and the 3-3 draw in December 2024.
Over 2.5 Goals could appeal for similar reasons. Both sides have attacking players capable of creating chances, while the uncertainty surrounding two newly installed systems could contribute to an open game.
Then there is Alexander Isak to score anytime. His return to Newcastle will make this one of the most talked-about individual betting markets of the weekend.
Another option to check at bet365 is Liverpool to win and Both Teams to Score. It would fit the recent pattern of Liverpool finding a way past Newcastle while the Magpies still contribute to the scoring.
Bet365 also offers Bet Builder markets, allowing bettors to combine selections such as the match result, goals, player shots, cards and corners.
As always, check the latest prices before betting as Premier League odds can change considerably as kick-off approaches.
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There are enough unknowns surrounding both teams to make this a difficult opening-weekend prediction.
Newcastle have home advantage and St James’ Park should be exceptionally loud given Isak's return.
Liverpool, however, appear to have the greater attacking quality.
Wirtz supplying Isak could become one of the Premier League's most dangerous combinations this season, while Gakpo provides another threat from wide areas.
Newcastle's injuries and summer departures are also difficult to ignore.
Liverpool's remarkable Premier League record against Newcastle provides another reason to lean towards the visitors, and the 6/5 available with bet365 looks consistent with Liverpool being favourites without suggesting this should be an easy away victory.
We expect Newcastle to make this uncomfortable — and probably score — but Liverpool should create enough opportunities to leave Tyneside with three points.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool
There may be more polished teams on display during the Premier League's opening weekend, but Newcastle vs Liverpool might be the most fascinating fixture.
Two new managers. Two substantially changed squads. One of English football's loudest stadiums.
And Alexander Isak walking back into St James’ Park wearing a Liverpool shirt.
Liverpool are 6/5 favourites with bet365, but that price also illustrates that this is far from a foregone conclusion.
For Liverpool, victory would provide the perfect beginning to the Iraola era.
For Newcastle, beating Liverpool for the first time in the Premier League in years — with Isak on the opposite side — would be quite a way to begin their new chapter.
Either way, Sunday's meeting should tell us considerably more about where both clubs stand heading into the 2026/27 Premier League season.
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