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Expect a special atmosphere in Tyneside in midweek as Newcastle United make their eagerly awaited return to the UEFA Champions League. Eddie Howe's side finished fifth in last season's Premier League, securing their place in this revamped competition. It's a baptism of fire, as they take on one of the biggest names in European football, but can Newcastle defeat Barcelona?
The head-to-head stats on the Flashscore app and website show the Magpies and Barca have met four times previously, with the Spaniards boasting a 3-1 lead. Traders working at all major online bookmakers have the away win chalked up as the most likely outcome here, but writing Newcastle off on their patch is a dangerous approach.
You can bet on over 100 pre-match and live betting markets available on Thursday's spectacle. Predict the winner or play one of the many specials, including total goals, handicap, first scorer, both teams to score, and plenty more besides. Flashscore's Frank Monkhouse has studied the form and figures before presenting his three bets worth considering.
Newcastle vs Barcelona tips
Under 2.5 goals @ 13/8 (bet365)
Barcelona win @ 11/10 (bet365)
Barcelona win to nil @ 4/1 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Back a low-scoring night
Newcastle United begin their UEFA Champions League quest with a home match against five-time winners Barcelona in a game you can follow live on television from 20:00 BST. The Premier League side enters on the back of an unconvincing run of form, winning only one of their four league starts. The spare did come in their most recent outing, when they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 at this venue on Saturday. Another win would send shockwaves across European football, but will the locals make headlines?
Barcelona jet in from Spain to the United Kingdom with confidence. Hansi Flick's team sit second in La Liga following three wins and a draw in their first four, scoring 13 and conceding three. They are the top scorers in the division at present, thanks to a 6-0 weekend win over Valencia. Fermin Lopez, Raphinha, and Lewandowski scored two goals each in what was perfect preparation for Thursday's match.
Everyone connected to the home team know it'll take a season-best performance to match Barcelona. Howe's team must be organised in defence, remaining calm when in possession of the ball and working hard without it. They've kept a clean sheet in each of their last two starts, and in three of their previous four. With that in mind, we're backing under 2.5 goals, a bet that'll work best in your midweek accumulators.
Tip: Under 2.5 goals @ 13/8 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Newcastle vs Barcelona ends with fewer than three goals, your bet wins.
Visitors will score a winning start
Moving to our second pick on Thursday, and it's one for bettors looking to pick sides. Newcastle is the home team and will benefit from the support of a huge audience inside St James' Park. It'll be a special atmosphere, and that'll inspire a big performance from the team playing in black and white, but it won't be enough to stop the stars of Barca. I'm taking the visitors to leave with all three points, and that's a confident pick at decent odds.
When poring over the stats, form and figures at Flashscore, I decided on an away win and expected the bookies to be offering odds-on. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that's not the case, with Barca trading at odds against. The La Liga champions are favourites, but they're also the value play, which doesn't happen too often.
I've learned one thing in sports betting during my career: Back enough over-priced selections and you'll make a profit at the end of the season. At the current odds available in the match-winner market, there's no doubt Barcelona are bigger than they should be. The Spaniards beat the Brits 2-0 when they last visited Newcastle, with that convincing victory coming in 2003. A repeat performance after 22 years would be ideal for us.
Tip: Barcelona win @ 11/10 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Barca beat Newcastle, you'll make a profit.
Bet on Barca to win to nil
Our third and final bet on Thursday evening in England is a combination of our two previous picks. If you're looking for a decent single at strong odds with a good chance of winning, Barcelona winning nil will give you a run for your money. You need the away team to win the match, but also keep a clean sheet. That's no mean feat, especially on matchday one, but the kings of Spanish football are certainly capable.
Barcelona beat Mallorca 3-0 away from home on the opening day of the season, and thrashed Valencia 6-0 at the weekend. Newcastle brought the curtain up on their EPL campaign with a frustrating goalless draw at Villa Park. Howe's team then lost 3-2 at home to Liverpool in a typically entertaining derby. The home team then ended goalless at Elland Road and edged Wolves 1-0 at the weekend in a drab affair.
Placing your trust in Barca winning to nil was the right idea in two of the last three games involving Newcastle United and Barcelona, with the Spaniards winning 1-0 at home and 2-0 on the road. I don't expect an easy outing, but that's reflected in the price. Barca are organised in defence and frightening in attack, making them a decent bet to win without conceding a goal.
Tip: Barcelona win to nil @ 4/1 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Barca wins without conceding, you'll win your bet.
Newcastle vs Barcelona odds
Barcelona win @ 11/10 (bet365)
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.