Newcastle United return to the UEFA Champions League on Thursday night, with a blockbuster home clash against Barcelona in front of what will be a raucous atmosphere at St. James' Park.
Eddie Howe's team have got off to a really solid start in the Premier League. They have been superb defensively, with three clean sheets in four games. In fact, they have only conceded against Liverpool this season, in a match they lost 3-2 following Anthony Gordon's first-half red card in that game.
They were also lifted this last weekend, as their new big-money signing Nick Woltemade scored on his Premier League debut for the club against Wolves.
Barcelona, meanwhile, do have a few injuries to contend with, but Hansi Flick's side resumed action after the international break with a thumping 6-0 win over Valencia, as Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Fermín López all scored two goals each. Lamine Yamal's hip injury is the biggest concern for Barcelona, as they continue to wait on his fitness. Yamal missed training on Tuesday, and his availability will be the centre of attention for both Howe and Flick ahead of this game.
How to watch:
The match will be available on TNT Sports in the U.K., Paramount+ in the United States, Stan Sport in Australia, and SonyLIV in India. You can also follow ESPN's live updates.
Key Details:
Date: Thurdday, September 18, 8 p.m. BST (3 p.m. ET; 12:30 a.m. IST, Friday and 5 a.m. AEST, Friday).
Venue: St. James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne
Referee: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)
VAR: Jérôme Brisard (France)
Team news:
Newcastle United
Jacob Ramsey, M: Ankle, OUT, est. return mid October
Yoann Wissa, F: Knee, OUT, est. return mid October
Barcelona
Alejandro Balde, D: Hamstring, OUT, est. return mid October
Frenkie de Jong, M: Thigh, OUT, est. return late September
Gavi, M: Meniscus, OUT, est return early November
Marc-Andre ter Stegen, G: Back, OUT, est. return late September
Lamine Yamal, F: Hip, DOUBT
Expected Lineups:
Newcastle United
GK: Nick Pope
RB: Kieran Trippier | CB: Fabian Schär | CB: Dan Burn | LB: Valentino Livramento
CM: Bruno Guimarães | CDM: Sandro Tonali | CM: Joelinton
RW: Anthony Elanga | CF: Nick Woltemade | LW: Anthony Gordon
Barcelona
GK: Joan García
RB: Jules Koundé | CB: Ronald Araújo | CB: Pau Cubarsí | | LB: Gerard Martin
CM: Marc Casado | CM: Pedri
RW: Raphinha | CAM: Fermín López | LW: Marcus Rashford
CF: Robert Lewandowski
Stats:
These teams have met four times previously in UEFA club competition. Barcelona have recorded three wins to Newcastle's one.
Newcastle have lost only three of their last 31 European matches at home.
Robert Lewandowski has scored nine goals in his last seven appearances in the league phase of the Champions League.
Raphinha has scored 16 goals in his last 16 games in the Champions League.
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