Verdict: Barcelona win
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
With a Champions League quarter-final ticket hanging in the balance on Wednesday evening, Barcelona will welcome Newcastle to Catalonia.
Barcelona
Starting with the hosts, snatching a dramatic last-gasp equaliser over at St. James’ Park last week, Barcelona will certainly be excited to make a return to Catalonia on Wednesday evening. Picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend as they secured a rollercoaster 5-2 victory at home against Sevilla, Hansi Flick’s side are leading the chase to retain their La Liga crown in 2026. Looking to book their quarter-final ticket with a statement of intent here, the former Bayern Munich boss has seen his superstar squad gain a reputation for their extended dominance on home soil. Signing off February with a thumping 4-1 win against Villarreal, Barcelona have remarkably won all of their last 15 consecutive showdowns in Catalonia – a run that stems all the way back to October 1st.
Barcelona Team News
All still dealing with respective hamstring injuries, Barcelona will once again be without the trio of Frenkie de Jong, Alejandro Balde and French defender Jules Kounde here. However, returning from a long-term knee injury against Sevilla over the weekend, academy graduate Gavi could get some more minutes under his belt.
Bagging a last-gasp equaliser at St. James’ Park last week, attacking talisman Lamine Yamal will certainly be handed a full recall. Bagging a La Liga hat-trick on Sunday afternoon, Brazilian ace Raphinha will be hoping to keep his spot from the start.
Newcastle
As for the visitors, while Newcastle might have suffered last-gasp heartbreak at St. James’ Park os they failed to claim a first-leg advantage, Eddie Howe’s side certainly claimed an immediate response over the weekend. Springing an upset at Stamford Bridge as they snatched a 1-0 victory against Chelsea, the Magpies will be dreaming of the chance to claim another iconic scalp on Wednesday evening. Despite facing what will be a stern examination when they travel to Catalonia in midweek, Newcastle should be excited by their recent success away from Tyneside. Including a 6-1 Champions League victory against Qarabag on February 18th, Howe’s side have won four of their previous five showdowns away from St. James’ Park across all competitions.
Newcastle Team News
In what is a huge blow for Newcastle, Howe’s side will once again be without talismanic skipper Bruno Guimaraes due to an extended hamstring injury. Likewise, veteran defender Fabian Schar is still sidelined with an ankle injury and could miss the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign.
Appearing to have cemented his spot as Howe’s number one choice between the sticks, former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale will keep his spot from the start. Bagging the winner against Chelsea on Saturday, Anthony Gordon could play a leading role in the final third.
Barcelona vs Newcastle Key Factors to Consider
When Barcelona and Newcastle met for their first-leg showdown last week, Wednesday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate at St. James’ Park.
Newcastle fell to a 3-1 loss when they last travelled to Catalonia for a European battle back in December 2002.
Barcelona have remarkably won all of their previous 15 consecutive showdowns in Catalonia across all competitions.
Newcastle have won four of their last five matchups away from St. James’ Park across all formats.
Including a last-gasp penalty on Tyneside last week, Spanish superstar Lamine Yamal has registered eight direct goal contributions in his seven Champions League appearances this season (four goals, four assists).
Conclusion
Missing out on the chance to gain what would have been a crucial first-leg advantage last week, Newcastle travel to Catalonia on Wednesday evening with an almighty task on their hands. Watching Barcelona remarkably win all of their previous 15 consecutive showdowns in front of their own supporters, Flick’s side will be looking to punch their quarter-final ticket with a real European statement. Although Newcastle might have enjoyed a recent flurry away from St. James’ Park, we are backing the Spanish icons to extend on their Champions League adventure in midweek.
Verdict: Barcelona win
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
