The first leg of the 2025/26 Champions League round of 16 tie between Newcastle United (England) and Barcelona (Spain) will take place on 10 March at St James' Park. Newcastle United vs Barcelona: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Newcastle United
Newcastle United have reached the Champions League round of 16 for the first time in their history. They got to this stage via the play-off ties, where they beat Qarabag twice (9:3 on aggregate). The club's current unbeaten run in this tournament has now stretched to five matches (three wins, two draws). Overall, since the start of this European season the club have suffered only two defeats, although the first of those came in the home meeting with Barcelona (1:2) back in September, when the sides met on matchday one of the league phase. Since then, in the Champions League the home team have won four consecutive matches on their own ground, and on three occasions Newcastle United won to nil.
- The club have conceded in five of their last six Champions League games.
- Newcastle United's scoring run in this tournament stands at 12 matches.
- The English side have avoided defeat in 30 of their previous 32 home matches in the knockout stage of European competitions (22 wins, eight draws).
Potential Newcastle United Lineup (4-3-3)
Aaron Ramsdale – Lewis Hall, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Malick Thiaw – Sandro Tonali, Joelinton, Jacob Ramsey – Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, Nick Woltemade.
Defender Fabian Schar, as well as midfielders Lewis Miley and Bruno Guimaraes, will miss the match through injury.
Barcelona
During the league phase, Barcelona lacked consistency for a long spell, but the side still broke into the top eight and avoided the play-offs thanks to a strong finish featuring a three-match winning run. Before that, Barcelona had won only two of their first five matches in this European season. In the end, after collecting 16 points, the club finished fifth in the table. They will now play in the Champions League round of 16 for the third consecutive year. Notably, across their last eight matches in this competition the Spanish side have not kept a clean sheet once, but they have scored in every game except the trip to Chelsea (0:3). We should also note that Barcelona have opened with a win in five of their last six two-legged Champions League ties against English clubs.
- Barcelona have avoided defeat in five of their last six Champions League matches (four wins, one draw).
- The club have scored at least two goals in four of their last five away games in this tournament.
- Both teams have scored in 10 of the Spaniards' previous 11 Champions League matches.
Potential Barcelona Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Joan Garcia – Joao Cancelo, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Gerard Martin – Fermin Lopez, Pedri – Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha – Ferran Torres.
Defenders Jules Kounde, Alex Balde and Andreas Christensen, as well as midfielders Gavi and Frenkie de Jong, are not ready due to injury.
Referee
Marco Guida (Italy)
Matches – 11 (international matches, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 32;
Yellow cards per match (average) – 2.9;
Red cards shown – 0;
Fouls per match (average) – 23;
Penalties – 9%.
Newcastle United vs Barcelona: Match Prediction
The teams are producing strong results and combining that with entertaining football. Newcastle United are unbeaten across five Champions League matches (three wins, two draws), although both teams have scored in four of those five games. It is also worth adding that four of those five matches went over, and overall at least three goals have been scored in eight of the English side's last 10 matches in this European season. That same mark was also reached in four of the club's last five home games in the Champions League.
Barcelona can, in general, be described as one of the most entertaining clubs in Europe. Regardless of the outcome, the club's matches regularly prove to be lively and high-scoring. It is enough to say that in 10 of the Spaniards' previous 11 Champions League matches, both teams have found the net. At least three goals have been scored in Barcelona's last 13 games in this competition.
These trends were reflected in the recent head-to-head meeting too, which ended in a 2:1 win for Barcelona.
Prediction: Both teams to score – Yes + Over 2.5 goals
