BETTING GUIDE: Newcastle United Vs Barcelona Match Preview, Team news and Betting Tips
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Reading Time: 4min | Wed. 17.09.25. | 21:55
It will be interesting to see how Eddie Howe looks to exploit the aggressively high defensive unit of their opponents, looking to beat their synchronzed offside trap
St. James's Park plays host to what is expected to be a blockbuster European tie as Newcastle United welcome Barcelona in both sides' first UEFA Champions League group phase round one fixture.
After a poor start to the season, where Newcastle United were marred with off-the-pitch controversies regarding recruitment and releasing players, things look to have settled for the Magpies.
Alexander Isak got his much-requested move to Liverpool, and Newcastle got two strikers in Nick Woltemade from VFB Stuttgart and Yoanne Wissa from Brentford.
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Newcastle had not won a competitive match this season in the league, having drawn two and lost one, until they met Wolves, where a Woltemade header saw them win 1-0.
Having scored only three goals in four league matches, coach Eddie Howe will hope his new strikers hit the ground running.
Wissa, coming off a 24-goal contribution season at Brentford, will be keen to replicate his numbers.
The last time these two teams met in the Champions League was in 2003, with the Spanish side winning 2-0 at Newcastle.
The last time the Magpies were in this competition, Howe's men were pooled in the proverbial group of death against PSG, Dortmund and Milan.
They were eliminated in the group stages, and this is something they will not want to see repeated.
The Magpies have not had so a good record to follow up having won one, drawn three, and lost four of their last eight European matches.
However, their home form is encouraging, especially against Spanish opposition, having won four of their last six home encounters, losing just two.
Known for their good midfield, they will look to test their mettle against Barcelona with Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, and Joelinton all in line to start..
New signings Wissa and Jacob Ramsey are set to miss the tie with Woltemade, in contention to start flanked by Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga or Jacob Murphy on the right.
Dan Burn will be hoping to stop the Barcelona threat on the right.
It will be interesting to see how Howe will exploit the aggressively high defensive unit of their opponents, looking to beat their synchronized offside trap.
In Woltemade, Elanga, and Gordon, the Magpies have the threat to stretch play with direct runs and aerial deliveries.
Barcelona comes into the match in top form, having garnered 10 points from four matches in La Liga.
The Catalans have scored 13 goals with the only stain on their form coming as a draw against Rayo Vallecano.
Hansi Flick, coming off a La Liga title triumph, will seek to replicate his Bayern Munich exploits for the trophy the Catalan faithful crave the most.
After a heartbreaking last-minute exit at the hands of Inter Milan at the semi-final stage last season, Barcelona believes they have what it takes to go all the way.
In the last season group phase, Barcelona finished second behind Liverpool, garnering 19 points and were the highest scoring team in the competition with 28 goals.
Against English opposition, Barcelona have lost only two of their last 17 Champions League matches.
On their 29 previous appearances in the Champions League, Barcelona have only been beaten on matchday one in three occasions, winning 20 and drawing 6.
Barcelona have also won three of their last four meetings with Newcastle.
Barcelona are without Lamine Yamal and Frenkie De Jong, Gavi, and Alejandro Balde due to injuries.
Robert Lewandowski is expected back into the fold with Fermin Lopez and Englishman Marcus Rashford also in the running to start.
It will be interesting to see how the Barcelona midfield of Pedri, Marc Cassado level up against an aggressive Magpies midfield.
Key Pointers
Barcelona have scored over 2.5 goals in three of their last four matches.
Newcastle have not kept a clean sheet in their last five home Champions League matches.
Barcelona have conceded in their last seven of away Champions League matches.
Our Prediction - Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals in the match.
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