90min

Newport County vs Newcastle Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News

By Grey Whitebloom

Newcastle United celebrate a late, controversial equalising penalty against Tottenham Hotspur
Newcastle United celebrate a late, controversial equalising penalty against Tottenham Hotspur / Pool/Getty Images
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League Two's Newport County host Premier League side Newcastle United in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening.

Since Mike Flynn was appointed as Newport's manager in 2017, the South Wales side have achieved a bevvy of eye-catching results in various cup competitions. In this golden period, the Exiles have toppled the likes of Leicester City, Middlesbrough and Leeds United - the latter two then of the Championship - and added Watford to that ever-growing list after victory last week.

After drawing at home to Tottenham, Newport lost 2-0 in the replay at Wembley
After drawing at home to Tottenham, Newport lost 2-0 in the replay at Wembley / Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images

Newport also ran Manchester City closer than the 4-1 scoreline suggests in their 2019 FA Cup quarter-final, and forced Tottenham Hotspur to a replay after drawing 1-1 at Rodney Parade in fourth round of the same competition the year before.

Newcastle earned a Premier League point with the same scoreline against Spurs on Sunday with a late - and even more controversial - penalty. Given their lofty reputation, a win for Flynn's cup kings wouldn't elicit anywhere near the same uproar.

Where to Watch on TV

When Is Kick Off? Wednesday 30 September
What Time Is Kick Off? 17:30 (BST)
Where Is it Being Played? Rodney Parade
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports (UK), FuboTV (US)
Referee? John Brooks

Team News

Martin Dubravka made more saves than any other goalkeeper last season but has been sidelined this season and will not feature on Wednesday
Martin Dubravka made more saves than any other goalkeeper last season but has been sidelined this season and will not feature on Wednesday / Stu Forster/Getty Images

Having been beset by myriad injuries throughout the previous campaign, Newport have been mercifully short of fitness concerns so far.

Newcastle, on the other hand, have not been so fortunate. First-choice goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has missed the entirety of the season to date and isn't set for a return until mid-October, while centre-back Fabian Schar and midfielder Matty Longstaff are on course for a similar recovery trajectory.

Alongside long-term absentees Paul Dummett and Dwight Gayle, Matt Richie is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after injuring his shoulder against Tottenham on Sunday.

Allan Saint-Maximin and Ciaran Clark could be available as soon as this weekend, although they are unlikely to be risked on Wednesday, while Ryan Fraser's selection is subject to a late fitness test.

Predicted Lineups

Newport County: Townsend; Dolan, Cooper, Demetriou; Shephard, Bennett, Labadie, Sheehan, Haynes; Abrahams, Amond.

Newcastle: Gillespie; Krafth, Lascelles, Fernandez, Yedlin; Murphy, Hayden, Hendrick, Fraser; Almiron, Joelinton.

Recent Form

Alongside their recent history of high profile scalps, Newport can take confidence from a superb start to the season. Seven games into their 2020/21 campaign, the Exiles have five wins, one draw and a single defeat – that one coming in the EFL Trophy.

In three Premier League games Newcastle have only registered a combined three shots on target - but they have scored with each goal-bound effort
In three Premier League games Newcastle have only registered a combined three shots on target - but they have scored with each goal-bound effort / Pool/Getty Images

Much has been made about Newcastle's efficient, but sparse, shooting in the top flight so far, but the Magpies ripped seven goals past Newport's fourth-tier rivals Morecambe in the previous round. Steve Bruce's side have only tasted defeat in one of their five matches this season, losing 2-0 at home to Brighton in the Premier League.

Here's how each team has fared in each of their last five outings.

Newport County

Bolton 0-2 Newport County (26/9)
Newport County 3-1 Watford (22/9)
Newport County 2-1 Barrow (19/9)
Newport County 1-0 Cambridge United (15/9)
Scunthorpe United 1-1 Newport County (12/9)

Newcastle

Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Newcastle (27/9)
Morecambe 0-7 Newcastle (23/9)
Newcastle 0-2 Brighton (20/9)
Newcastle 1-0 Blackburn Rovers (15/9)
West Ham United 0-2 Newcastle (12/9)

Prediction

Mike Flynn is taking charge of his fourth full season at Newport County
Mike Flynn is taking charge of his fourth full season at Newport County / Pete Norton/Getty Images

The archetypal cup upset is borne out of overconfidence from the theoretically stronger team.

However, Flynn has warned that his side cannot rely upon their opponents' complacency, claiming that Bruce is 'not the type' to underestimate lower league opponents. The Magpies manager only reinforced this suggestion by their ruthless demolition of the Shrimps last week and doubled down when describing Newport as 'dangerous'.

60 places separate these sides in the league(s), but even if Newcastle do prove too good for their hosts in midweek, it will be far from a straightforward trip to Rodney Parade.

Prediction: Newport County 1-2 Newcastle