Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United will be looking to make it four straight wins in the Champions League when they travel to France to face Marseille.
Having suffered back-to-back defeats in the UEFA Champions League, Marseille will be looking to return to winning ways and get their campaign back on track when they host Newcastle United at Stade Velodrome on Tuesday.
The home team are 25th on the points table with just three points in their four outings. Following their defeat to Real Madrid on Matchday 1, they did bounce back with an impressive 4-0 win over Ajax. However, Marseille are heading into this fixture on the back of defeats against Sporting CP and Atalanta in the Champions League.
Les Phoceens have been in impressive form in Ligue 1, and they are heading into this fixture on the back of an impressive 5-1 win over OGC Nice. They will be high on confidence and will look to put up a strong fight against Newcastle United.
Meanwhile, the Magpies are sixth on the Champions League table with nine points in their four outings. While they started their campaign with a defeat against Barcelona, Eddie Howe’s team have since won against Union SG, SL Benfica, and Athletic Club.
Their league form has not been that great this season, but they are heading into this fixture on the back of a sensational 2-1 win over Manchester City. The Tyneside club will certainly be the favourites to claim all three points in this fixture. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Marseille
The home team will be without the services of Facundo Medina, Hamed Traore, Amir Murillo, and Amine Gouiri. Meanwhile, Nayef Aguerd is a major doubt for this fixture. But they do have a boost, as Emerson Palmieri is back after serving a suspension last time out.
The French giants will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Geronimo Rulli will be in goal. Timothy Weah and Emerson are expected to be the full-backs, while Benjamin Pavard should pair up with Leonardo Balerdi at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will form the double pivot in the centre of the park. The duo will look to shield the backline and ensure they do not allow the Newcastle United midfielders to dictate the tempo of the game.
Mason Greenwood and Igor Paixao should feature on the flanks, providing much-needed width to their attacks. Angel Gomes will take up the number ten role behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who will spearhead the Marseille attack against Newcastle United.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Rulli; Weah, Pavard, Balerdi, Emerson; Kondogbia, Hojbjerg; Greenwood, Gomes, Paixao; Aubameyang
Newcastle United
While Lewis Hall was subbed off their last outing, Eddie Howe suggested it was nothing more than cramps. As a result, he should be available for this one. But the visitors will be without Kieran Trippier, Anthony Gordon, Will Osula, Yoane Wissa, and Harrison Ashby.
Newcastle United will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, where Nick Pope will be in goal. Toni Livramento and Dan Burn will be the full-backs for the Tyneside club, while Sven Botman will partner with Malick Thiaw in the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Bruno Guimaraes will start alongside Sandro Tonali and Joelinton in the centre of the park. The trio will look to ensure they dominate the ball and dictate the pace of this fixture.
Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes will feature out wide on the flanks, while summer signing Nick Woltemade will spearhead the Newcastle United attack against Marseille on Tuesday night.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Livramento, Botman, Thiaw, Burn; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Woltemade, Barnes
Key Stats
- Marseille and Newcastle United will square up against each other for the first time in the UEFA Champions League.
- The Magpies have won each of their last three UEFA Champions League games and will be looking to make it three in a row.
- Meanwhile, Marseille will be looking to avoid a third straight defeat in the UEFA Champions League.
- The Tyneside club have only lost two out of their last 13 UCL league phase/group stage away games.
- The French giants will be looking to bring an end to their 12-match winless run against English teams in UEFA competitions.
Player to Watch
Mason Greenwood
Greenwood had an impressive debut campaign at the French club last time out, as he finished with 22 goals and six assists in his 36 outings across competitions. The 24-year-old has carried that form into the new campaign, and he has been the standout performer for Marseille.
In his 16 outings across competitions, he has 11 goals and four assists. The Englishman has scored three goals in their last two league outings, and he will be eager to find the back of the net and help his team return to winning ways in the Champions League.
Prediction
Marseille 2-2 Newcastle United
Newcastle United head into the contest with strong momentum behind them, having won each of their last three UEFA Champions League outings. Eddie Howe’s men might be inconsistent in the league, but they have shown a different level of composure and efficiency in Europe.
Their impressive win over Manchester City will only add to their confidence, and even away from home, the Magpies are expected to play on the front foot and create plenty of openings. Marseille, however, cannot be underestimated, especially given their strong domestic form and the confidence gained from a resounding 5-1 win against OGC Nice.
Mason Greenwood’s red-hot form makes them a constant threat, while Aubameyang’s experience up top ensures they carry a punch in transition. Despite their recent struggles in the Champions League, Marseille tend to raise their level at home and could pose significant problems for Newcastle’s defence. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought draw in this fixture.
