After snatching the extra qualifying spot afforded to the Premier League last season, Newcastle United begin their 2025/26 Champions League campaign with maybe their toughest test as they host reigning La Liga champions Barcelona on Thursday.
The Magpies have moved on from their talisman Alexander Isak, who brought them to this point, and replaced him with Nick Woltemade for a huge fee. They also brought in Yoane Wissa from Brentford, but he suffered a knee injury and will miss the match.
Barcelona have their own absentees to worry about, as Lamine Yamal will miss the game after suffering an injury while on international duty, which caused quite the stir at his club. A few other first-team regulars are also sidelined.
Hansi Flick was set to miss the match after irregularities in anti-doping procedures following their semifinal loss to Inter Milan last season, but UEFA overturned the suspension and he will be available on the touchline for the club.
LIVE: Follow along with minute-by-minute updates and highlights from Newcastle vs. Barcelona
Newcastle United vs. Barcelona prediction, odds
Coming to St. James’ Park and picking up a result is a difficult prospect for any club, but Barcelona will be well-positioned to handle the task. The La Liga giants can press teams into oblivion, and while Newcastle are a physical side, they are susceptible to being pressed.
Both Newcastle midfielders Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes are near the very bottom for being dispossessed, and their attack isn’t good enough to make up for Barcelona’s “come and get us” mentality. Heck, they only scored one goal on 1.55 expected goals against Wolves at home over the weekend.
Newcastle and their fans are always up for the biggest games, but this will be a tough one to pull out, and Barcelona at plus odds is a gift.
Interestingly, the market disagrees, as Newcastle have swung into the slight moneyline lead as kickoff nears. They were +175 underdogs to Barcelona’s +140 mark in the leadup to the match, but on the morning of the game, the hosts had moved into slight favourites. Also, the expectation for goals waned as the total dropped from 3.5 to 2.5.
| DraftKings (USA) |
|
| Newcastle win | +155 |
| Draw | +270 |
| Barcelona win | +160 |
| Both teams to score |
Y: -210 N: +165 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals |
O: -175 U: +135 |
| Newcastle -0.5 goals |
+135 |
| Barcelona +0.5 goals |
-190 |
Newcastle United vs. Barcelona match facts
- Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
- Kickoff Time: 8 p.m. local (3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT)
- Location: St. James’ Park (Newcastle, England)
- Referee: Glenn Nyberg (SWE)
- Last meeting: Newcastle 0-2 Barcelona (Mar. 19, 2003 | Champions League)
MORE: Starting lineups, team news, and latest injury updates ahead of Newcastle vs. Barcelona
Newcastle United vs. Barcelona best bet
- Pick: Over 3.5 total goals
- Odds: +140 (DraftKings)
An over in a Barcelona Champions League game at plus odds? Take it and run. Barcelona matches in this competition last season went over 3.5 goals 11 times from a total of 14.
Even without Lamine Yamal, Flick will look to play his same style, and he has the talent to keep up the pressure.
The last time Newcastle played a run-and-gun team of similar ilk, they lost a heartbreaker to Liverpool 3-2 at home. Even after Anthony Gordon received a red card halfway through, the game was testy and featured a back-and-forth style that should look similar to this match.
MORE: A complete guide to betting on soccer in the United States
Newcastle United vs. Barcelona prop bet
With Lamine Yamal out and a high-scoring match expected, there’s no better time to pull the trigger on a big play like this, as Raphinha should be the focal point of the Barcelona attack behind Robert Lewandowski.
The 2025 Ballon d’Or contender was at his very best in the Champions League last season, picking up at least one goal and one assist in four different matches across the European campaign as they ran to the semifinals.
