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After finishing just outside the top eight places in the league phase table, Newcastle were required to negotiate an additional round to reach this stage of the competition. The Magpies made light work of Azerbaijani outfit Qarabağ at the end of last month, winning 6-1 in Baku before recording a narrow triumph at St. James’ Park.
Despite their inconsistency within the domestic arena, Eddie Howe’s men have generally fared well in Europe this term. They’ve only been beaten twice on Champions League duty so far, although one of these defeats was admittedly inflicted by their last sixteen opponents.
Wednesday’s hard-fought victory over Manchester United was just Newcastle’s second win in seven Premier League matches, so Toon Army fans may not feel overly optimistic about their team’s chances against a continental powerhouse.
Meanwhile, Barcelona are enjoying a superb campaign across all fronts. The Blaugrana have won five of their last six league fixtures prior to this weekend’s visit to Bilbao, leaving them four points clear at the summit of the Spanish top-flight.
Barça occupied fifth position at the conclusion of the league phase, enabling them to skip February’s knockout phase playoffs. However, the Catalans have produced a mixed bag of European away performances so far, which may provide a crumb of comfort for the Tyneside natives.
After that early success at St. James’ Park, Hansi Flick’s side took a solitary point from a six-goal thriller in Brugge. A disappointing 3-0 defeat to Chelsea then followed, before January’s 4-2 victory over Slavia Prague in the Czech capital.
Tuesday’s encounter between Newcastle and Barcelona will be shown exclusively live on the Amazon Prime platform, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 (BST).
Newcastle v Barcelona – Key information
Date: Tuesday, March 10th
Kick-off time: 20:00 (GMT)
Venue: St. James’ Park, Newcastle
TV Channels/Live stream: Amazon Prime
Odds: Newcastle United: 19/10, Draw: 13/5, Barcelona: 5/4
Odds provided by bet365
Newcastle v Barcelona team news
Both managers have a handful of key players out, although Eddie Howe grapples with a slightly longer injury list than his opposite number. Hansi Flick has tinkered with his system on several occasions in recent months, but expect Barcelona to line up in their most familiar 4-2-3-1 formation on Tuesday night.
Newcastle United team news
The absence of influential skipper Bruno Guimarães continues to have a negative impact on Newcastle’s form, as the Brazilian recovers from the hamstring injury he sustained during last month’s contest with Tottenham Hotspur.
Tino Livramento is also struggling with a hamstring problem, although the industrious full-back is much closer to a return.
Emil Krafth is out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on his knee last month, while fellow defender Fabian Schär – who suffered ankle ligament damage in January’s stirring victory over Leeds – will likely be back in action next month.
Eddie Howe will also be without the services of Lewis Miley on Tuesday night, but the teenage midfielder may have shaken off his muscle issue in time for the return leg at the Camp Nou.
A sickness bug infiltrated the Newcastle camp at the end of last month, causing Jacob Ramsey and Nick Woltemade to endure a brief bout of illness.
Ramsey was withdrawn at the interval against Everton due to feeling unwell, but may have wished he skipped the first half of Wednesday’s meeting with Manchester United as well after receiving an early red card. Woltemade didn’t feature in the triumph over the Red Devils, but is now available for selection.
It looks as if Eddie Howe has eventually lost faith in Nick Pope following the much-maligned goalkeeper’s latest error, which enabled Beto to restore the Toffees' lead at St. James’ Park.
Consequently, former Arsenal stopper Aaron Ramsdale is set to start between the sticks. Only Kylian Mbappé has netted on more occasions in the Champions League this season than Anthony Gordon, who will look to extend his goalscoring purple patch from Newcastle’s left-hand flank.
Newcastle predicted lineup v Barcelona (4-3-3)
Coach: Eddie Howe
Aaron Ramsdale (GK); Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall; Jacob Ramsey, Sandro Tonali, Joelinton; Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade, Anthony Gordon
Barcelona team news
After a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Gavi is approaching the final stages of his rehabilitation. The technically gifted midfielder went under the knife earlier on in the campaign to address a serious knee injury, having previously torn his anterior cruciate ligament back in 2023.
Barcelona’s midfield options were further reduced when Frenkie de Jong tore his hamstring at the back end of last month, rendering the Dutchman unavailable for a six-week period.
Andreas Christensen last featured just before Christmas, but is expected to be out until at least the end of April. However, there has been a positive update regarding Robert Lewandowski’s condition.
The Polish striker fractured his eye socket in a painful collision with Villarreal defender Pau Navarro, but was able to train in a protective eye mask this week.
Barcelona were knocked out of the Copa del Rey on Tuesday night following a gallant attempt to eradicate a first-leg four-goal deficit, but their efforts came at a price. French full-back Jules Koundé hobbled off during the opening exchanges after ominously clutching his hamstring, while his replacement Alejandro Balde experienced a similar problem midway through the second half.
That could result in João Cancelo shifting across from left-back to cover the right-hand side of Barça’s defence, with Gerard Martín filling the gap left by the versatile Portuguese international.
Barcelona predicted lineup v Newcastle (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Hansi Flick
Joan García (GK); João Cancelo, Pau Cubarsí, Eric García, Gerard Martín; Marc Bernal, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Fermín López, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski
Where to watch on TV or live stream?
Although TNT Sports is currently the main broadcaster of UEFA competitions in the United Kingdom, Amazon Prime has first choice on Tuesday night Champions League fixtures. This enables the U.S-based streaming service to cover their preferred fixture at the beginning of each gameweek, so matches involving English teams are invariably selected for their UK audience. Amazon have chosen to screen Newcastle's tie on this occasion.
A commentary team of Jon Champion and Alan Shearer will describe events at St. James’ Park, while expert analysis is provided by Les Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, and Daniel Sturridge back in the studio. Programming commences at 18:30 (BST), a full hour and a half before the action gets underway.
Head-to-Head record
Last September’s clash between these two teams ended in a 2-1 triumph for the visitors, as Marcus Rashford made a key contribution at the beginning of his season-long loan spell with Barcelona. The English attacker delivered two cracking finishes within eight second-half minutes, before Anthony Gordon grabbed a late consolation.
Tuesday’s opponents have faced one another on five previous occasions overall, with the Catalans winning each of the last four of these encounters. Nevertheless, Newcastle United emerged triumphant when the sides met for the first time almost three decades ago, on the opening matchday of the 1997/98 Champions League campaign.
Faustino Asprilla’s quick-fire hat-trick powered the hosts to a famous 3-2 triumph, as Barcelona failed to cope with the boisterous atmosphere of a packed St. James’ Park.
However, both clubs would subsequently be eliminated from the competition at the conclusion of the group stage, with Ukrainian champions Dynamo Kiev progressing at their expense.
It's worth noting that Barça have successfully navigated each of their most recent five Champions League last sixteen ties against English opposition, with their latest defeat coming to Chelsea (4-1 on aggregate) back in February 2018.
Newcastle v Barcelona – Match Result odds
Newcastle United: 19/10 (bet365)
The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change. All odds provided by bet365.