Newcastle United and Barcelona get their Champions League campaigns underway with a match at St James’ Park on Thursday 18th September at 8pm. The Magpies are back in the Champions League after a season away, while Barcelona still chase a sixth European Cup. This game will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 1.
Raphinha Anytime Assist (5/2 with BetMGM)
Barcelona’s Raphinha was directly involved in more goals than any other player in the UEFA Champions League last season (21 – 13 goals, eight assists). Of players to assist 10+ goals in the UEFA Champions League, the Brazilian has the best assists-per-game ratio of anyone in the competition’s history (0.46 – 12 in 26 appearances).
Pedri Over 0.5 Shots on Target (29/10 with BetMGM)
It’s been a strong start to the season for Pedri, who managed two goals in Spain’s 6-0 thrashing of Turkey last week during the international break. The Barcelona man opened his La Liga account for the season on Matchday 2, with a goal against Levante on matchday 2. When it comes to shots on target, Pedri has registered six in six appearances this season for club and country, and with other firms such as Sky Bet having this same selection at just 7/4, the 29/10 looks a value play.
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How both teams go into Newcastle vs Barcelona
Newcastle have had one European campaign in the past 12 seasons, qualifying for the Champions League in 2023-24. But that didn’t go to plan. The Magpies were placed in a tough group and finished bottom, despite a massive result against Paris Saint-Germain. But they’re back in the Champions League now and will be hopeful of doing better. Their chances have improved with the new format, so Newcastle will have their sights set on at least a spot in the knockout stage play-offs.
It’s now been 10 years since Barcelona last won the Champions League. And they haven’t really looked like adding to their trophy cabinet since. The Blaugrana have made the semi-finals just twice in the past 10 seasons — enduring the same number of group stage exits. Barcelona did reach the semi-finals last season after a strong group stage, finishing second in the revamped format. But they couldn’t get over the line in the end, losing to Inter Milan across two legs in the semi-finals.
Newcastle team news
Newcastle will hope to have Joelinton and Jacob Ramsey available for this game. Anthony Gordon will also be available, only suspended for domestic football.
Barcelona team news
Alejandro Balde isn’t too far away from a return from injury but this game will be too soon for the Spaniard. Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Gavi are also out injured.
Newcastle vs Barcelona head-to-head
These two sides have met four times before, across two Champions League campaigns. Newcastle famously won the first meeting in 1997, but Barcelona took the next three.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 19/03/03 | Newcastle 0-2 Barcelona | Champions League |
| 11/12/02 | Barcelona 3-1 Newcastle | Champions League |
| 26/11/97 | Barcelona 1-0 Newcastle | Champions League |
| 17/09/97 | Newcastle 3-2 Barcelona | Champions League |