Newcastle vs Barcelona Champions League: Preview, team news and prediction
Tom Phillips12:59, 10 Mar 2026Updated 12:59, 10 Mar 2026This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreFor the second time in six months, St James' Park will host Barcelona as Newcastle United welcome the Spanish heavyweights for Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg. The Magpies secured their place in the knockout stages by overcoming Qarabag in the play-off round, whilst Hansi Flick's Barcelona earned direct qualification by finishing fifth in the league phase.
More than four years since Newcastle's Saudi-backed takeover, the club has experienced contrasting fortunes both on and off the field. However, under Eddie Howe, Newcastle have reached unprecedented heights in Europe, progressing to the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in their history after finishing 12th in the league phase.
Their advancement was confirmed with a commanding 6-1 victory in the first leg against Qarabag, rendering the 3-2 second-leg triumph a mere formality.
On the domestic front, Newcastle's form has been inconsistent. They recently endured a 3-2 home defeat to Everton, managed a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Manchester United with 10 men, and were eliminated from the FA Cup by Manchester City in a 3-1 defeat.
Howe's future at the club remains unclear as consistency continues to evade his side, but Newcastle have been entertaining, both scoring and conceding in each of their last 12 fixtures across all competitions. In contrast, Barcelona arrive as experienced Champions League competitors, aiming to go beyond last season's semi-final elimination to Inter Milan.
Their league-phase fixtures were goal-laden encounters, with 36 goals in total - 22 scored and 14 conceded - equalling Borussia Dortmund for the most goals in the group stage. Defensive vulnerabilities were evident, particularly at Stamford Bridge, but Flick has since strengthened the backline.
Barcelona's 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao at the weekend represented their eighth clean sheet of 2026, bettered only by Inter Milan amongst Europe's top five leagues this year.
Barcelona are presently on a four-match winning run across all competitions, though their 3-0 Copa del Rey triumph over Atletico Madrid proved insufficient to overturn a substantial first-leg deficit. Historically, Barcelona boast a formidable record against English opposition at this stage, winning their last five Champions League last-16 ties against Premier League sides.
Flick's team also secured a 2-1 victory at St James' Park in September's league phase, with Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford netting both goals.
18+ | Gamble responsibly | gambleaware.org | Odds subject to change
Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over.
Odds are subject to change too.
We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit gambleaware.org.