Newcastle could not have asked for a tougher test on Matchday 1 of the League Phase, with Barcelona making the trip to Tyneside.
But this is what makes the Champions League such a special competition, and Eddie Howe’s side will be hoping to emulate their famous 4-1 home win over Paris Saint-Germain in October 2023.
With kick-off at St James’ Park scheduled for 8pm this evening UK time, here is a full online betting preview for Newcastle vs Barcelona, featuring the latest football odds from our website and app.
And you can earn a £5 Free Bet thanks to our Weekly Champions League Offer. Simply place a qualifying £10 pre-match Bet Builder on the game of your choice!
Newcastle vs Barcelona Preview
After beating Wolves 1-0 on the weekend, the mood around Newcastle is distinctly more positive, especially as the Alexander Isak saga is now over.
New striker Nick Woltemade also netted on his debut to secure the aforementioned victory, and he will be out to impress against one of the best teams on the planet.
Barcelona enter this fixture on the back of a 6-0 thrashing of Valencia, with Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Fermin Lopez each netting braces.
However, Lamine Yamal missed the match after suffering an injury on international duty, and he is a huge doubt for this contest – which is a boost for Newcastle and left-back Tino Livramento!
Yamal’s likely absence means we could see Marcus Rashford start on his return to English soil, having completed a loan move to Barca from Manchester United over the summer.
Rashford is yet to really get going in La Liga, having registered just a single assist in four matches, so he will view this game as the perfect platform to ignite his career at the Spanish giants.
While Barca are contending with numerous fitness issues, with Alejandro Balde, Frenkie de Jong and Gavi also condemned to the treatment table, Newcastle have a fairly clean bill of health.
Summer signings Yoane Wissa and Jacob Ramsey are out for the foreseeable future, but the rest of the squad is in good shape, with Howe able to recall key winger Anthony Gordon for Barca’s visit after his Premier League suspension.
But midfield is perhaps where this game will be won or lost. If Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali cannot limit the influence of Pedri, it could be a long night for Newcastle.
What a game we have in store!
Newcastle vs Barcelona Odds
*All odds are subject to change
Barcelona are slight favourites here at odds of 2.24. A victory for Newcastle is priced at 2.87, while the draw is 3.71.
Newcastle vs Barcelona Betting Tips
Anytime goalscorer – Robert Lewandowski @ 2.05
In case you were unaware, Lewandowski loves playing in the Champions League. Last season, he scored 11 goals in 13 appearances, taking his overall tally to 105 strikes in 133 matches. Fresh from scoring a brace vs Valencia, we are backing the Pole to deliver again on Tyneside.
Player to score or assist – Nick Woltemade @ 2.10
Woltemade’s giant frame could be key in this match. Long balls into the German striker may be a wise tactic to get up the field, and also bring the likes of Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy into play from the flanks. That should increase his chances of assisting a goal, and his scoring threat is already well-known following the header vs Wolves. Woltemade’s aerial presence could really trouble Barca, particularly from set-pieces.
Over 3.5 goals in the match @ 2.08
Games involving Barca are rarely dull affairs, partly due to Hansi Flick’s insistence on playing a high defensive line. Newcastle are also likely to come out all guns blazing with the home crowd roaring them on, so we expect goals aplenty in this one.
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