Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle meet at the BayArena on Wednesday in a Champions League league-phase fixture that could prove to be crucial in the race for a top-eight position.
Leverkusen sit 17th with eight points, two behind eighth-placed Sporting Lisbon, while Newcastle arrive in 11th on nine points.
Leverkusen’s last Champions League win was an impressive 2-0 success over Manchester City on November 25, a match in which they scored with both of their efforts on target and relied on goalkeeper Mark Flekken to make nine saves.
That victory formed part of a short winning run in Europe, though Kasper Hjulmand’s side have since suffered two defeats in their last three Champions League outings, most recently losing 2-0 to Augsburg.
That setback was the first time in seven matches that Leverkusen had failed to score. Across that period, they recorded four clean sheets and netted 14 goals, showing both defensive structure and attacking variety.
Domestically, Leverkusen are fourth in the Bundesliga with 23 points from 13 matchweeks, scoring 28 goals and conceding 19.
Newcastle’s European campaign remains entirely unpredictable. They suffered a 2-1 defeat to Marseille on November 25 despite scoring within the first six minutes, and their lack of creative output beyond Harvey Barnes’s opener left Eddie Howe with few complaints.
Premier League struggles have persisted alongside these European inconsistencies; Newcastle sit 12th on 22 points, only marginally better than at the same stage last season.
Qualification remains possible. Eleven points were enough to reach the round of 16 play-offs last term, and a defeat on Wednesday would leave Newcastle needing two points from their final two fixtures against PSV Eindhoven and Paris Saint-Germain to reach that mark.
There is cause for optimism: Newcastle arrive unbeaten in three matches, winning two and drawing one, with eight goals scored in that run.
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Team news for Bayer Leverkusen v Newcastle United
Leverkusen are expected to include Jarell Quansah in a back three featuring Loic Bade and Jeanuel Belocian.
Exequiel Palacios is sidelined with a groin injury, opening a place in midfield for Aleix Garcia or Ibrahim Maza. Patrik Schick is likely to lead the line, supported by Christian Kofane and Malik Tillman.
For Newcastle, Aaron Ramsdale continues in goal due to Nick Pope’s absence, with Fabian Schar and Malick Thiaw ahead of him.
Bruno Guimaraes anchors the midfield and is set to be joined by Sandro Tonali and Joelinton. Nick Woltemade should start up front, with Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga providing width. Yoana Wissa remains an attacking option from the bench.
Expected line-ups for Bayer Leverkusen v Newcastle United
Bayer Leverkusen: Flekken; Quansah, Bade, Belocian; Poku, Garcia, Maza, Grimaldo; Tillman, Kofane; Schick
Newcastle: Ramsdale; Livramento, Schar, Thiaw, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon
Stats for Bayer Leverkusen v Newcastle United
Leverkusen have failed to score in only one of their last seven matches
They have won three of their last five home games
Newcastle have won two of their last three matches in all competitions
Newcastle have taken just one win from their last eight away fixtures before their victory at Everton
Newcastle won the previous two meetings between the clubs, both by 3-1 scorelines
Prediction
Bayer Leverkusen
2
–
1
Newcastle
Leverkusen’s stronger home form and Newcastle’s persistent struggles away from St James’ Park suggest the German side hold a slight advantage. With the hosts finding better rhythm in Europe and Newcastle’s most recent Champions League display lacking fluency, a home victory appears the most likely outcome.
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