Newcastle United continue their preparations for the new campaign with a pre-season friendly at neighbours Middlesbrough on Tuesday.
The North-East outfits have won each of their two fixtures since returning to training earlier this month.
Match preview
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At one stage this year, Steve Bruce would have been expecting to have the funds in place to sign more than just Burnley midfielder Jeff Hendrick on a free transfer.
However, while a takeover in the future remains a possibility, Bruce must now focus on getting his current crop of players in shape ahead of the new season.
Although work continues to go on behind the scenes, the Magpies boss will be focused on building some momentum after victories over Crewe Alexandra and Barnsley.
To a certain extent, the results in those games were not as important as his players regaining some sharpness after three weeks off, especially Andy Carroll who played just 174 minutes of football after the resumption in June.
Nevertheless, Bruce will want all of his squad firing on all cylinders ahead of an opening double-header against West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion, games which could set the tone for their season.
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Having agreed to remain in charge of Middlesbrough on a permanent basis, Neil Warnock has had his squad down in Plymouth ahead of resuming competitive action.
That has seen Boro play two fixtures against League One outfit Plymouth Argyle, the second of which was spread over three periods of 30 minutes.
On both occasions, Warnock witnessed his side come through with the win, representing a boost for the veteran boss at a time when he has been left frustrated in the transfer market.
As it stands, only Grant Hall has arrived from Queens Park Rangers on a free transfer, meaning that plenty of gaps in the squad still need to be filled due to the exits of numerous experienced players and loanees.
Although Warnock will accept that fresh faces will arrive in the coming weeks, he will be far away from a settled XI when Boro take to the pitch against Shrewsbury Town in the EFL Cup next weekend.
Middlesbrough form (pre-season friendlies): WW
Newcastle United form (pre-season friendlies): WW
Head To Head
These two clubs have squared off in 129 competitive fixtures, with Newcastle claiming 51 wins in comparison to 40 victories for Middlesbrough.
As a result of their frequent promotion and relegation, the rivals have not played each other in a league contest since 2010.
Newcastle are on a seven-match unbeaten streak, not suffering defeat since a Premier League game at the Riverside Stadium in 2006.
We say: Middlesbrough 0-2 Newcastle United
Given the level of their most recent opposition, it is difficult to assess where both clubs are at with regards to their match sharpness. With that in mind, we are backing the Premier League outfit to prevail, while also keeping a clean sheet.
Darren Plant
