FC Barcelona kick off their 2025-26 UEFA Champions League campaign with a trip to the legendary St. James’ Park to face Newcastle United on Thursday.
Barca will be eager to get to the UCL final for the first time in over a decade, after coming agonizingly close last year, falling to Inter Milan in the semifinals after a dramatic two legs.
The Catalan giants did enjoy a successful season in Spain, however, capturing a domestic treble with La Liga, the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup.
The Blaugrana are off to a strong start in the league, racking up 10 points from their first four fixtures and sitting in second in the table. They’re fresh off a 6-0 thrashing of Valencia in their first home game of the new campaign.
Newcastle, meanwhile, are back in the Champions League for the second time in three years, and fourth overall, having exited the 2023-24 edition of the competition in the group stage, after being placed in the Group of Death with Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan.
The Magpies have had a slower start to their domestic season, having won only one of their first four games in the Premier League. They defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 on Saturday thanks to a headed goal from club-record signing Nick Woltemade, who joined a few weeks ago from Stuttgart.
Barcelona and Newcastle have faced each other on four previous occasions in the Champions League, with the Spaniards winning three times and losing just once. They last met in the group stage in 2002-03, with Barcelona winning both fixtures 2-0 and 3-1, respectively.
FC Barcelona vs Newcastle United Kick-Off Time, Where to Watch
When: Thursday, September 18 – 3PM ET / 12PM PT
Where: St. James’ Park, Newcastle
Where to watch in the United States: CBS Sports, Paramount+
FC Barcelona vs Newcastle United Betting Odds
Newcastle United to win: +180
Draw: +270
FC Barcelona to win: +135
Both teams to score (Yes/No): -225 / +174
Over/Under 3.5 goals: +132 / -162
Robert Lewandowski first goalscorer: +440
Nick Woltemade anytime goalscorer: +190
Marcus Rashford anytime goalscorer: +230
Raphinha to score or assist: -115
Odds courtesy of FanDuel.
Newcastle United Team News and Predicted Lineup
Eddie Howe will be without two of his marquee summer signings on Thursday, as Yoane Wissa and Jacob Ramsey continue to nurse injuries.
Woltemade is likely to be flanked by fellow new boy Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes to form a front three in front of Newcastle’s physically daunting midfield trio of Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton.
Barcelona will have to keep tabs on 6-foot-7 center-back Dan Burn on set pieces.
Newcastle United predicted lineup (4-3-3): Nick Pope (GK) – Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schär, Dan Burn, Tino Livramento – Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali, Joelinton – Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade, Harvey Barnes.
FC Barcelona Team News and Predicted Lineup
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has announced that Lamine Yamal will not make the trip to England as he continues to deal with a groin injury.
He missed the weekend’s win over Valencia, with summer signing Roony Bardghji starting in the right wing position. Raphinha is likely to draw in on the right flank against Newcastle, with Manchester United loanee Marchus Rashford occupying the right side of attack.
Fermin Lopez is fresh off a brace against Valencia, and should feature in the starting 11 once again behind Robert Lewandowski, who also bagged two goals at the weekend.
Frenkie de Jong is still dealing with a muscle issue, which mean Marc Casado is likely to draw in alongside Pedri in the midfield pivot. Expect Gerard Martin to also get the start at left-back instead of the injured Alejandro Balde.
