Champions League
2025-09-18 - Newcastle United vs Barcelona
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Champions League
Thursday 18th September 2025 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Newcastle United
Two years ago, Eddie Howe's Newcastle United returned to European Football for the first time since 2013 and it was a real surprise to see them back in the Champions League. Being one of the lower Seeds meant having a tough opening Group and The Magpies finished bottom of the four team section, but the new format of the League Phase means expectations are that Newcastle United will make the Knock Out Rounds.
In previous Champions League experiences, Newcastle United have yet to play a Knock Out tie in the competition after Christmas, although they did make it into the 'second Group Stage' in the format used in the early 2000s. Two years ago Newcastle United crushed Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 at St James' Park, but home loss to Borussia Dortmund and Milan saw them prop up the Group.
Newcastle United beat Wolves this past weekend for the first victory of the Premier League season and Eddie Howe will be very pleased to have seen new signing Nick Woltemade get off the mark. They had not won any of 5 games in all competitions prior to the win over Wolves, and Newcastle United had lost consecutive home games.
Yoane Wissa will be absent for this Champions League game after picking up an injury on international duty. Anthony Gordon is available before completing a domestic suspension next weekend, while the manager could choose to make a couple of rotations to keep the squad fresh.
Barcelona
A hugely entertaining Champions League Semi Final slipped away from Barcelona despite being seconds away from reaching the Final in Munich. That will have been a huge blow to the club, but a young squad will feel they can go again and Barcelona are amongst the favourites to win the Champions League this time around.
They finished 2nd in the League Phase last season, but ten years have passed since Barcelona last won the Champions League and it was also the last time they reached the Final in this competition. The side did win 4 of the 7 away games played in the Champions League, although Barcelona lost twice in normal time at Monaco and Borussia Dortmund before the Extra Time defeat at the San Siro against Inter Milan.
Barcelona are the defending Spanish Champions and they are unbeaten in 4 games to open this season, while winning 3 of those fixtures. They had won 4 away games in a row since the Extra Time defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League Semi Final Second Leg, but Barcelona's run was ended in a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano.
Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Lamine Yamal could all miss out.
Head to Head
Newcastle United and Barcelona have met 4 times previously, although the last of those was back in the 2002/03 Champions League Group Stage.
It was Newcastle United who won the first ever meeting 3-2 at St James' Park, but Barcelona have won the 3 games played since then.
Prediction
The Monday Night Football performance against Liverpool last month underlines how tough it can be to play in the North East of England under the lights.
St James' Park is going to be bouncing for the return to the Champions League and seeing their Newcastle United heroes facing Barcelona will only intensify the atmosphere.
Alexander Isak has moved on, but Nick Woltemade has already scored his first goal for Newcastle United and Eddie Howe will feel his preparation is much more manageable without other distractions. The manager knows that his squad is built with players who want to play for Newcastle United and they are a team that can give the very best problems here.
Anthony Gordon is available, which is a huge boost, and Newcastle United have players with pace in the final third.
There is no doubt that The Magpies can give Barcelona plenty to think about, but it is also important that Newcastle United have learned from the experiences of two seasons ago. They did crush Paris Saint-Germain here, but the Champions League is always a test and a learning process for those who have not played a lot of games in this competition.
Defeats to Borussia Dortmund and Milan in front of the home fans ultimately cost Newcastle United a chance of extending their time in the Champions League.
They will have to accept that there are going to be periods in this fixture where Barcelona are really putting the pressure on and the quality of the forward players will hurt the home team.
It should be a high-scoring game, but Barcelona's young squad are gaining experience all of the time and they may have enough to edge to the victory. With the attacking players at their disposal, Barcelona may be too strong, even if Lamine Yamal is not available, and the Spanish Champions can win an entertaining game.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Newcastle United 2-3 Barcelona
