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Newcastle United head to Leverkusen, Germany, to take on Bayer Leverkusen in matchday six of the UEFA Champions League (UCL). The two sides are only separated by a point in the table, and know that three points here would increase their chances of getting a top-eight spot.
Leverkusen are off the pace in the Bundesliga, sitting 14 points behind leaders Bayern Munich. Two losses in their last three games have taken some of the shine off their great win against Manchester City last time in the UCL, but they have won four in their last six, so there is some form there.
They welcome a Newcastle side who were disappointing in their last UCL match against Marseille, losing 2-0, but have since been unbeaten in the league (2W/1D). Despite that unbeaten record, Newcastle are winless in their last three games against German sides in European competition (D1/L2), with both of those defeats coming against Borussia Dortmund in the 23/24 UCL group phases.
Bayer Leverkusen v Newcastle key information
• Date: Wednesday, December 10
• Kick-off time: 8pm GMT
• Venue: BayArena, Leverkusen
• Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük
• VAR: Rob Dieperink
• TV channels: TNT Sports (UK)
• Odds: LEV (2/1) - DRAW (5/2) - NEW (27/20)
Bayer Leverkusen team news
Bayer Leverkusen could be without key player Alex Grimaldo for the visit of Newcastle. The 30-year-old was absent from the defeat at Augsburg, but manager Kasper Hjulmand said that he hopes Grimaldo can play on Wednesday night. The Spaniard was key in the victory over Man City in the last gameweek, scoring the first goal of the night, and he will be a big miss if he is not back for this match. Ezequiel Fernandez remains a long-term absentee with a knee injury; otherwise, Hjulmand has a full squad to pick from.
Patrik Schick has scored in the last two UCL matches and will hope to keep up that form on Wednesday. He has not scored since netting the second against City three matches ago, so a return to scoring would be very welcome for the team.
Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineup v Newcastle, (3-4-2-1)
Coach: Kasper Hjulmand
Flekken; Tapsoba, Bade, Andrich; Hofmann, Maza, Garcia, Poku; Terrier, Tillman; Schick.
Newcastle team news
The main injury concerns for Newcastle are defenders Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier and goalie Nick Pope. Botman has missed the past three games with a lower back injury and is set to miss the trip to Leverkusen. Kieran Trippier is another defender who has been out a while, missing the past five games with a hamstring injury. Manager Eddie Howe said he should be back closer to Christmas. Pope is set to be back around the same time as Trippier, after being out with a groin injury.
Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon have both scored four times so far in the UCL, making the Magpies the only team with two players with more than three goals. Gordon has also scored in his past two games in the Premier League and will be hoping to continue that run against Leverkusen.
Yoanne Wissa finally made his debut for Newcastle against Burnley on the weekend and will be hoping to feature in the UCL for the first time for the club.
Newcastle predicted lineup v Bayer Leverkusen, (4-3-3)
Coach: Eddie Howe
Ramsdale; Hall, Schar, Thiaw, Livramento; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Gordon, Woltemade, Murphy.
Where to watch on TV or live stream?
Bayer Leverkusen vs Newcastle will be shown on TNT Sports in the UK. TNT Sports is available with a subscription to discovery+, which can be watched on the website, on the app, on your smart TV or through your console.
Head-to-head record
Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle have only met before in the 02/03 UEFA Champions League campaign, with the Magpies winning 3-1 both home and away against them that season. We mentioned that Newcastle has not won against German opposition in their last three games. Well, Leverkusen have won two of their last three against English opposition, including their win last time out against Man City.
In the UCL, Newcastle have the better record, winning three and losing two, whereas Leverkusen have only won two but have only lost one, drawing the other two. A win for Leverkusen would see them leapfrog their opponents and close in on the top spots.
Odds for Bayer Leverkusen v Newcastle
The odds have Newcastle as the favourites to win this game. At bet365, the Magpies are 27/20 to win, compared to Leverkusen at 2/1. A draw is at 5/2.
Odds correct at time of writing, subject to change