Newcastle vs Liverpool: Premier League tips & 13/1 Bet Builder

Liverpool begin the Premier League season with one of the weekend’s headline fixtures, heading to St. James’ Park to face a Newcastle side starting again under Matthias Jaissle.

There are plenty of threads to pull together: Andoni Iraola’s first league game as Liverpool head coach, Mohamed Salah no longer being part of the Reds’ attack, and Alexander Isak returning to Tyneside in Liverpool colours for the first time. Ladbrokes looks at the team news, predicted line-ups, correct-score angle and a four-leg Bet Builder for Newcastle vs Liverpool.

Newcastle vs Liverpool match details

• Fixture: Newcastle vs Liverpool

• Competition: Premier League

• Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026

• Kick-off: 16:30 BST

• Venue: St. James’ Park

• UK TV: Sky Sports
  

Our prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool

Newcastle vs Liverpool predicted line-ups

Newcastle

Our predicted XI (4-3-3): Hornicek / Hall, Botman, Thiaw, Burn / Miley, Bamba, Ramsey / Barnes, Elanga, Osula

Liverpool

Our predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson / Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez / Gravenberch, Szoboszlai / Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo / Isak

Newcastle vs Liverpool Bet Builder

Ladbrokes shares its Newcastle vs Liverpool Bet Builder ahead of the Premier League opener, which is coming in at 13/1.

• Leg 1 - Liverpool to win

• Leg 2 - Cody Gakpo 1+ shot on target

• Leg 3 - Dan Burn to be carded

• Leg 4 - Alexander Isak to score

Liverpool to win

Liverpool look the more settled side, even with a new manager and no Salah. Iraola’s team ended pre-season with a 2-0 win over Como, while Newcastle’s summer has been defined by key player departures, injuries and a late reshuffle in the managerial department. Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha give the visitors enough punch to edge it.

Cody Gakpo 1+ shot on target

Gakpo signed off pre-season sharply, scoring against Como after Jeremie Frimpong’s cross and then setting up Jeremy Jacquet before half-time. He also scored three times for the Netherlands at the World Cup, with six of his 10 tournament shots hitting the target. If he starts from the left, which we are expecting him to, an effort on target tip seems plausible.

Dan Burn to be carded

Dan Burn is expected to have a busy afternoon if he starts on the left of Newcastle’s defence. Ngumoha gives Liverpool direct running on that side, while Frimpong’s overlaps will add another pace threat from deep. Burn collected 10 Premier League yellow cards last season and we're tipping him to kick off the campaign with another here.

Alexander Isak to score

Isak’s return to St. James’ Park is the obvious headline. He scored against Monaco in pre-season with a good finish after strong link-up play from Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, then hit the post early in Liverpool’s win over Como. With Liverpool’s attack built around quick vertical combinations, Isak is a natural goalscorer pick.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.