Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United are all set to host giants Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16.
Newcastle United are gearing up to host Barcelona at St. James’ Park for the second time in just six months. While the previous meeting was a league fixture, the stakes are much higher this time around, as both teams battle for a spot in the last eight.
The home team failed to finish inside the top eight during the league phase. They finished 12th on the table with four wins in their eight outings and had to go past Qarabag in the knockout phase playoffs.
The Magpies secured a comfortable 9-3 win on aggregate to secure a spot in the round of 16. While they did secure an impressive 2-1 win over Manchester United in their last league outing, Newcastle United are heading into this on the back of a 3-1 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City in the FA Cup.
Meanwhile, Barcelona secured a fifth-placed finish in the league phase with five wins in their eight outings. Thanks to those performances, the Blaugrana clinched an automatic spot in the round of 16.
The Catalan giants have been one of the most in-form teams in all of Europe, and they are heading into this fixture on the back of four straight wins. While getting knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Atletico Madrid was a massive blow, they still have two of the biggest titles to play for.
In the previous meeting between the two teams during the league phase, Barcelona secured a comfortable 2-1 win thanks to Marcus Rashford’s brilliance. They will be hoping to secure a win and take a decent lead home ahead of the second leg. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Newcastle United
The Magpies have a boost heading into this fixture as Jacob Ramsey is back available after serving a domestic suspension, while Valentino Livramento is raring to go after recovering from a thigh issue. However, they do remain without the services of Emil Krafth (knee), Lewis Miley (thigh), Fabian Schar (ankle), and Bruno Guimaraes (thigh).
Eddie Howe’s team will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, where Nick Pope will be in goal. Kieran Trippier and Lewis Hall are expected to be the full-backs. In the heart of the defence, Sven Botman will pair up with Malick Thiaw.
They will look to keep things tight at the back and will receive significant support from the midfield trio of Joe Willock, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton. The trio will look to ensure the Barcelona midfielders do not run the show.
In the final third, Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon will feature on the flanks, providing width to their attacks. Finally, Yoane Wissa should lead the line for Newcastle United against Barcelona at St. James’ Park on Tuesday.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Willock, Tonali, Joelinton; Barnes, Wissa, Gordon
Barcelona
The visitors also have a boost, as Marc Bernal, who was substituted in the first half of their last outing because of a stomach issue, is available for this fixture. However, Barcelona remain without the services of Alejandro Balde (hamstring), Gavi (knee), Frenkie de Jong (hamstring), Jules Kounde (hamstring) and Andreas Christensen (ACL) for the game against Newcastle United.
The away side will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Joan Garcia will be in goal. Eric Garcia and Joao Cancelo are expected to be the full-backs, while Pau Cubarsi will pair up with Gerard Martin in the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Pedri and Marc Casado will form the double pivot in the centre of the pitch. They will look to shield the backline and control the tempo of the game.
Fermin Lopez should take up the number ten role, while in-form Lamine Yamal and Raphinha will take charge on the flanks. Marcus Rashford is expected to play a part off the bench, having bagged two goals in their last visit to St. James’ Park. Meanwhile, Robert Lewandowski will spearhead the Barcelona attack against Newcastle United on Tuesday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; Eric Garcia, Cubarsi, Martin, Cancelo; Pedri, Casado; Yamal, Lopez, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Key Stats
- Barcelona have won each of their last four games in all competitions.
- Newcastle have won two and lost three out of their last five.
- The last meeting between the two teams happened earlier in the season, where Barcelona claimed a 2-1 win.
- Both teams have faced each other on five occasions in the past, and the Catalan giants have won four of those meetings.
- Barcelona have kept eight clean sheets in 2026; only Inter Milan have a better record in all of Europe.
Player to Watch
Lamine Yamal
The teenage sensation is all set to become the youngest player to feature in 30 Champions League games, and he will look to mark the occasion with a goal or two. So far, Yamal has been involved in 36 matches and has contributed towards 34 goals (19 goals, 15 assists).
The Spanish international has six goal contributions in his last four outings across competitions. Given the kind of form he has been in, the teenager will most likely have a big say on the end result of this fixture as well as the tie.
Prediction
Newcastle United 2-3 Barcelona
Newcastle United will look to make the most of the home advantage and the electric atmosphere at St. James’ Park when they host Barcelona. Eddie Howe’s men have shown they can trouble top teams on their day, and their physicality and intensity could make things uncomfortable for the visitors, especially in the early stages of the contest.
However, Barcelona arrive in excellent form and possess greater quality in the final third. With players like Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski capable of producing decisive moments, the Catalan giants should be confident of getting a positive result away from home.
Newcastle United might put up a strong fight, but Barcelona could have just enough to take a narrow advantage into the second leg. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-2 win for Hansi Flick and his charges.
