Newcastle mark their return to the UEFA Champions League (UCL) with a glamour tie against Barcelona at St. James' Park on Thursday night. After missing out on last season's competition, this will be the first time that the Magpies play in it since its new format was introduced.
Meanwhile, Barca will be hoping to go one better than their semi-final exit to Inter Milan in the 2024/25 campaign, where they narrowly lost 7-6 on aggregate after a pulsating two-legged affair. Nonetheless, the visitors will be aiming to get off to the best possible start with victory here.
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Newcastle vs Barcelona prediction: Barca battle too much for Magpies
Key stats
- Newcastle's 1-0 win at home to Wolves in the Premier League last time out ended a run of nine games in total in all competitions without a victory.
- Barcelona are unbeaten across nine matches in all competitions, winning eight of them.
- Barcelona won the previous two H2Hs between the two sides.
Correct score prediction: Newcastle 0-2 Barcelona
We are expecting Barcelona to possess too much quality for Newcastle, and so are backing them to take home all three points. However, we are not expecting the visitors to completely run away with it despite how free-scoring they have been of late, as the hosts have kept three clean sheets in their opening four Premier League games, conceding just three goals in total.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Barcelona favoured by bookmakers
- HOME: 19/10 (2.90) – 34.5%
- DRAW: 14/5 (3.80) – 26.3%
- AWAY: 6/5 (2.20) – 45.5%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, Barcelona are favoured by bookmakers to kick off their UCL campaign with all three points. Newcastle can be backed to record a historic victory at St. James' Park at just over 34%, while a draw is rated at just over 26%.
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Most recent H2Hs: Barcelona won both
As mentioned before, Barcelona won both of the previous two meetings between the two sides. Incidentally, both H2Hs were in the UCL in the 2002/03 season, where the Spanish giants won 3-1 at home and 2-0 away.
Newcastle preview: Gordon available
Anthony Gordon is back available for Newcastle after serving a domestic suspension against Wolves last time out. However, new signings Yoane Wissa and Jacob Ramsey will play no part due to injury.
Predicted lineup: Pope (GK); Trippier, Schar, Botman, Livramento; Joelinton, Guimaraes, Tonali; Elanga, Woltemade & Gordon
Last five results:
- Newcastle 1-0 Wolves
- Leeds 0-0 Newcastle
- Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool
- Aston Villa 0-0 Newcastle
- Newcastle 0-2 Atletico Madrid
Barcelona preview: Yamal a doubt
Lamine Yamal is highly doubtful to play for Barcelona after sustaining an injury while on international duty with Spain. Frenkie de Jong is also a doubt, while Alejandro Balde, Gavi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are longer-term absentees.
Predicted lineup: Garcia (GK); Kounde, Araujo, Curbasi, Martin; Pedri, Casado; Raphinha, Fermin, Rashford & Lewandowski
Last five results:
- Barcelona 6-0 Valencia
- Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Barcelona
- Levante 2-3 Barcelona
- Mallorca 0-3 Barcelona
- Barcelona 5-0 Como
Player to watch: Raphinha
Raphinha will do well to match the UCL campaign he had in 2024/25, where he finished as the joint-top scorer in the competition with 13 goals, sharing the Golden Boot with Borussia Dortmund's Serhou Guirassy. Coming into this clash off the back of netting a brace against Valencia in La Liga, Barcelona's Brazilian star will likely cause plenty of problems for Newcastle.
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