Southend United are preparing for the visit of Rafa Benitez and his Newcastle United squad in a pre-season friendly at Roots Hall tonight.
The seaside town are set for the visit of the only manager to have won the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Newcastle will have played three games prior to the trip to Essex, having scored twelve times and conceded just twice. An away trip to Irish side Bohemian saw the Magpies win 6-0, before a 2-2 draw with Doncaster Rovers four days later. A trip to KSC Lokeren saw Benitez’s side return to winning ways, with a 4-0 victory over the Belgian side retaining the Magpies’ unbeaten record so far.
The Blues, meanwhile, are looking to retain their 100% pre-season record. Phil Brown’s side started their campaign with a 7-0 thrashing of non-league side Great Wakering Rovers. A 2-1 victory at Canvey Island followed two days later, before the visit of Premier League side West Ham United ended with the Blues 3-2 victors.
With both sides having just one other game left until they kick-off their league campaigns, the teams that play are expected to be close to the manager’s plans for their strongest side.
Until then, the Blues face their hardest challenge against what is thought to be a largely experienced United side. Then, on Saturday, the Football League One side face their local rivals Colchester United at Roots Hall in what is expected to be an extremely closely-fought, competitive encounter.
