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Newcastle v Braga: Team News
Written by Newcastle Utd
Find out who's in the team as United conclude their pre-season preparations with a home friendly against Braga
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Alan Pardew has named a strong starting line-up as his Newcastle United side conclude their pre-season preparations with a home friendly against Braga on Saturday evening (6pm kick-off).
The Magpies have tasted defeat just once in six warm-up games to date and will be looking to continue that impressive form against their Portuguese opponents at St. James' Park.
Long-serving striker Shola Ameobi, who has four goals from four appearances this summer, is reinstated to the starting-line up and will partner Papiss Cisse in a 4-4-2 formation.
Behind them, Hatem Ben Arfa and Jonas Gutierrez will take up roles on either flank, with Yohan Cabaye and Moussa Sissoko in the two central berths.
At the back, Mathieu Debuchy, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, captain Fabricio Coloccini and Davide Santon will protect goalkeeper Rob Elliot.
On a ten-man substitutes' bench there are places for Tim Krul, Paul Dummett, Steven Taylor, Yohan Cabaye, Vurnon Anita, Dan Gosling, Sylvain Marveaux, Gabriel Obertan, Sammy Ameobi and Yoan Gouffran.
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Rob Elliot; Mathieu Debuchy, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon; Hatem Ben Arfa, Cheick Tiote, Moussa Sissoko, Jonas Gutierrez; Shola Ameobi, Papiss Cisse
Substitutes: Tim Krul, Paul Dummett, Steven Taylor, Yohan Cabaye, Vurnon Anita, Dan Gosling, Sylvain Marveaux, Gabriel Obertan, Sammy Ameobi, Yoan Gouffran
Braga (4-4-2): Eduardo; Baiano, Paulo Vinicius, Aderlan Santos, Joaozinho; Alan (c), Luiz Carlos, Ruben Micael, Mauro; Edinho, Felipe Pardo
Substitutes: Cristiano, Nuno Andre Coelho, Joao Pedro, Pedro Santos, Helder Barbosa, Luis Silva, Rafa, Florent Hanin, Yazalde, Custodio, Salvador Agra
Referee: Lee Mason