Newcastle v Barcelona – Line-ups, stats and preview
Match Preview for Newcastle v Barcelona
A blockbuster evening of Champions League motion 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 perimeters 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 individual marketing campaign.
Newcastle arrive with a lift after ending their three-match winless run within the Premier League because of new striker Nick Woltemade.
The 6ft 6in German, signed for a club-record payment after Alexander Isak’s late exit, marked his debut with a trademark header in a 1-0 win over Wolves.
Eddie Howe praised his aspect afterwards, insisting he “didn’t see a lot improper” with their efficiency.
That is Newcastle’s second Champions League look in three seasons and their fourth general.
Final outing in 2023-24, they fell brief in a tricky 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’ latest European report reads only one win in eight (D3 L4), however at St James’ Park they continue to be a formidable pressure – dropping solely three of their final 31 residence matches in continental competitors (W21 D7).
Their report in opposition to Spanish golf equipment on residence soil can also be encouraging: 4 wins in six.
Barcelona, in the meantime, are flying. Recent from reclaiming the La Liga crown underneath 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 referred to as a “excellent” efficiency.
The Catalans are desirous to banish reminiscences of final season’s chaotic semi-final defeat to Inter, the place they misplaced 7-6 on mixture. That is their thirtieth Champions League marketing campaign – a report 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 report in opposition to English golf equipment can also be robust: simply two defeats in 17 latest group/League Section encounters (W8 D7).
Staff 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, probably 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 selections 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 also 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 also be pushing for a begin in assault, whereas Marc Casado may companion Pedri in midfield if De Jong fails to recuperate 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
