Match Preview for Newcastle v Barcelona
A blockbuster night of Champions League action awaits at St James’ Park on Thursday, the place Newcastle United open their League Section marketing campaign in opposition to Spanish giants Barcelona.
It’s the primary assembly between the edges in over 20 years. Again in March 2003, objectives from Patrick Kluivert and Thiago Motta sealed a 2-0 win for the Blaugrana within the second group stage conflict of that specific marketing campaign.
Newcastle arrive with a lift after ending their three-match winless run within the Premier League due to new striker Nick Woltemade.
The 6ft 6in German, signed for a club-record charge after Alexander Isak’s late exit, marked his debut with a trademark header in a 1-0 win over Wolves.
Eddie Howe praised his facet afterwards, insisting he “didn’t see a lot flawed” with their efficiency.
That is Newcastle’s second Champions League look in three seasons and their fourth general.
Final day trip in 2023-24, they fell brief in a troublesome group that includes PSG, Dortmund and AC Milan. The Magpies know one other testing schedule awaits with Barcelona, PSG, Benfica, Marseille and Bayer Leverkusen amongst their League Section opponents.
The Tynesiders’ current European file reads only one win in eight (D3 L4), however at St James’ Park they continue to be a formidable drive – dropping solely three of their final 31 dwelling matches in continental competitors (W21 D7).
Their file in opposition to Spanish golf equipment on dwelling soil can be encouraging: 4 wins in six.
Barcelona, in the meantime, are flying. Recent from reclaiming the La Liga crown below Hansi Flick final season, they’ve begun their title defence strongly, thrashing Valencia 6-0 on the weekend. Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Fermin Lopez all bagged braces in what Flick known as a “good” efficiency.
The Catalans are desirous to banish recollections of final season’s chaotic semi-final defeat to Inter, the place they misplaced 7-6 on combination. That is their thirtieth Champions League marketing campaign – a file they share with Actual Madrid – and in final season’s League Section they completed second with 19 factors and a competition-high 28 objectives.
Traditionally, Barcelona thrive in early rounds, having misplaced solely three of their 29 opening fixtures within the competitors (W20 D6). Their file in opposition to English golf equipment can be robust: simply two defeats in 17 current group/League Section encounters (W8 D7).
Workforce information for Newcastle v Barcelona
Newcastle are with out new recruits Yoane Wissa (knee) and Jacob Ramsey (ankle), each sidelined by damage. Anthony Gordon is suspended domestically however eligible right here, seemingly beginning on the left wing forward of Harvey Barnes. On the other flank, Anthony Elanga and Jacob Murphy are competing for choice.
Eddie Howe has choices to make on the again: Fabian Schar and Dan Burn partnered in opposition to Wolves, however Sven Botman or Malick Thiaw may very well be drafted in. Lewis Corridor can be pushing Tino Livramento for the left-back function.
For Barcelona, a number of absentees stay: goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen (again), midfielder Gavi (knee) and left-back Alejandro Balde (hamstring) are long-term casualties. Frenkie de Jong (muscle) and teenager Lamine Yamal (groin) are uncertain.
Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, each off the bench to attain in opposition to Valencia, are anticipated to return to the XI. Lewandowski boasts 9 objectives in his final seven League Section video games, whereas Raphinha ended final season as joint-top scorer within the Champions League with 13 objectives and 9 assists.
Marcus Rashford, on mortgage from Manchester United, can be pushing for a begin in assault, whereas Marc Casado may accomplice Pedri in midfield if De Jong fails to get well in time.
Anticipated line-ups for Newcastle v Barcelona
Newcastle: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon
Barcelona: J. Garcia; Kounde, E. Garcia, Cubarsi, Martin; Casado, Pedri; Raphinha, Fermin, Rashford; Lewandowski
