Wednesday serves us another blockbuster encounter from this season’s Champions League ‘Group of Death’ between Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund.
As we enter Matchday 3 for Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund in Group F of the UEFA Champions League, both sides know the result of this game could go a long way in helping them progress.
Eddie Howe’s side have bounced back after a sluggish start, and they dismantled a usually resilient Crystal Palace 4-0 at home at the weekend. They have also turned St. James’ Park into something of a fortress in the process. And they have now won five straight games there and only conceded one goal.
Liverpool are the only team to have won at St. James’ Park this season, while they have blown off the likes of Aston Villa, Manchester City, Sheffield United, PSG, and more recently, Palace.
The Magpies look to have coped with European football pretty well, blowing PSG away after a rather dull opening encounter with AC Milan. And another three points here would move Howe’s side into a promising position to qualify for the knockout stages. On the other hand, it would give Dortmund a nearly impossible task to escape the group.
Although Dortmund are unbeaten in the Bundesliga this season, they have struggled for points in the group of death. And Eden Terzic will be hoping his side can change their fortunes in Europe. They lost 2-0 in Paris and were then held to a goalless draw by Milan. So, it stands to reason that they will get on the front foot on Wednesday, which could play into the home side’s hands.
Team News and Tactics
Newcastle United
Skipper. 👊 pic.twitter.com/xp0w9jt8pJ
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 23, 2023
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe is dealing with a number of injury problems, although they have coped very well with several key players missing the majority of the current season. Sven Botman (knee), Harvey Barnes (foot), Joe Willock (calf), and Lewis Miley (illness) will not make the game.
Sandro Tonali’s potential ban has left Newcastle with another selection dilemma for this game. Although a lengthy ban for betting offences hangs over Sandro Tonali, who began Newcastle’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on the bench, the former AC Milan playmaker remains available for selection at the moment.
Howe has the riches to call upon two excellent strikers, and Callum Wilson can find the back of the net again. The former Bournemouth man has scored in four of his last six games for the Magpies and was on hand to round off Saturday’s 4-0 win over the Eagles. So, he will be eager to prove himself at the Champions League level by scoring his first goal in the competition.
However, the Englishman could be rotated out in favour of Sweden’s Alexander Isak, who continues to do well when given the opportunity in a black-and-white-striped shirt. Miguel Almiron and Anthony Gordon could partner him in the Newcastle attack.
Jacob Murphy scored and set up another two goals against Crystal Palace last time out. But he will have to contend with a substitute appearance here. The goalkeeper and the backline are expected to remain the same as in the Palace victory, with Nick Pope, Dan Burn, Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles, and Kieran Trippier taking their spots at the back. Bruno Guimaraes will form a triumvirate in midfield with Sean Longstaff and Joelinton.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Gordon
Borussia Dortmund
Undefeated on the domestic front, Borussia Dortmund have shown plenty of character to bounce back from last season’s heartbreaking Bundesliga finale. And Eden Terzic’s pragmatic approach at Borussia Dortmund is paying dividends. They will need to give it their best shot if they are to take points from the Magpies.
Dortmund will be without Mateu Morey, Youssoufa Moukoko, Julien Duranville, and likely Thomas Meunier for their trip to St. James’ Park, although those players are primarily backup options. Marcel Sabitzer made his return from an adductor issue as a substitute in the 1-0 victory over Werder Bremen. But Terzic may opt for a more defensive-minded double pivot of Emre Can and Salih Ozcan.
Keep your 👀 on the ⭐️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Offn9c6NWV
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) October 23, 2023
Marco Reus may be 34 years old now, but the German international is still the heart and soul of this side, having scored three goals in the Bundesliga in six games so far. Having taken little time to assess his new surroundings since a transfer deadline-day move from Werder Bremen, Niclas Fullkrug will spearhead the line for Dortmund, with support from Julian Brandt and Donyell Malen.
Giovanni Reyna had an impactful performance in the club’s clash with Bremen this past weekend. But the USMNT international will have to contend with a spot on the bench. Like Howe, Terzic will most likely play the same back-five, which will comprise goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and the defensive line of Julian Ryerson, Nico Schlotterbeck, Matt Hummels, and Marius Wolf.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Can, Ozcan; Brandt, Reus, Malen; Fullkrug
Key Stats
- Newcastle United are unbeaten in their last eight games across all competitions.
- Borussia Dortmund have failed to score in each of their last three Champions League games.
- Borussia Dortmund have tasted just one victory in their last seven Champions League away games.
- Newcastle United have scored ten goals in their last three home fixtures.
- Borussia Dortmund have lost their last six away games against English sides across all competitions.
Player to Watch
Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak has been in excellent form for Newcastle United since making the big-money move to the Premier League and should be fresh for this after only coming off the bench for a 20-minute cameo on Saturday.
A tall, very elegant striker with an instinctive finishing ability and an innate ability to set up teammates as well, he is looking more and more complete with each passing game. Having bagged seven goals already this season, the Swede will be eager to make an impact against his former club.
Prediction
Newcastle United 3-1 Borussia Dortmund
Newcastle United are a formidable animal at home, and the ease with which they dispatched PSG should serve as a warning to Dortmund here. They look too strong for a Borussia Dortmund side that lost to the same PSG side that Newcastle destroyed.
The German side’s defence have a poor habit of capitulating at times in the UEFA Champions League, and the hostile surroundings could make it a struggle for Edin Terzic’s side to leave Tyneside with anything to show for their efforts. With plenty of attacking quality, they do know where the goal is. But there is little confidence that they will come out on top against this Geordie juggernaut.
