Newcastle United vs Barcelona Champions League: Preview, Predicted XI and Injury News

Newcastle United’s first foray into Champions League football in 2025/26 will be a real baptism of fire – the Mags will take on Barcelona at St. James’ Park. The game is due to kick off at 8pm this evening – can Eddie Howe’s men pull off the upset?

Newcastle have endured a shaky start to the Premier League season, with just one win in their first four games of the campaign. Their sole win came against Wolves, who are currently bottom of the table. Nevertheless, league form tends to go out of the window in European club competitions.

Barcelona, on the other hand, find themselves second in the La Liga table, two points behind bitter rivals Real Madrid. They are the top scorers in Spain’s highest division and are also the defending champions, having won the league in 2024/25.

Newcastle United predicted XI

GK: Nick Pope

RB: Kieran Trippier

CB: Fabian Schar

CB: Sven Botman

LB: Tino Livramento

DM: Sandro Tonali

CM: Bruno Guimaraes

CM: Joelinton

RW: Anthony Elanga

LW: Anthony Gordon

ST: Nick Woltemade

Barcelona predicted XI

GK: Joan Garcia

RB: Jules Kounde

CB: Eric Garcia

CB: Pau Cubarsi

LB: Gerard Martin

CM: Pedri

CM: Marc Casado

RW: Raphinha

AM: Dani Olmo

LW: Marcus Rashford

ST: Robert Lewandowski

Newcastle United injury news

Newcastle have just two confirmed absentees ahead of their game against Barcelona. Both Jacob Ramsey and Yoane Wissa have been ruled out and are expected to be back in action around mid-October – Ramsey is out with an inkle injury, while Wissa is on the sidelines with a knee problem.

While Anthony Gordon is currently suspended from Premier League games after he picked up a red card against Liverpool, the ban does not apply to UEFA competitions – as such, he will be available for selection.

Who will win the game?

This will be a tough game for Newcastle. While they have been fairly solid at the back this season, their defence is unlikely to look impregnable against the Catalonian giants.

They’ll have to rely on doing something that they have struggled with this season – scoring goals. While Barca aren’t the most defensively tight of outfits, they can outscore teams.

As such, despite having the home advantage, we believe that Barcelona’s attacking talent will simply be too much for the Toon on this evening – but it will be a more closely run contest than some audiences may initially think.

Final prediction: Newcastle United 1-3 Barcelona