Newcastle United face a tricky league phase test against Athletic Bilbao in 2025-26 UEFA Champions League.
Victory could see Newcastle stay in the top eight depending on results elsewhere, whilst Athletic Bilbao can climb into the seeded side of the knockout play-off positions with a win.
Team News
Kieran Trippier is a doubt for Newcastle after he missed their 3-1 Premier League loss at West Ham due to illness.
Anthony Gordon (hip) is a doubt but Tino Livramento, Yoane Wissa (both knee) and Harrison Ashby (hamstring) remain absent.
Athletic Bilbao will be without Nico Williams due to a groin injury, despite having featured in their 3-2 La Liga loss at Real Sociedad.
Yeray Alvarez (suspension), Unai Egiluz, Benat Prados (both ACL), Maroan Sannadi (knee), Inigo Lekue (muscle) and Inaki Williams (adductor) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Athletic Bilbao at St James’ Park on Wednesday 5 November at 8pm GMT, live on TNT Sports 2 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Newcastle’s first Champions League meeting against Athletic Bilbao, although they won one of two previous meetings albeit in UEFA Cup (W1, L1).
- Athletic Bilbao lost 3-2 in their only previous trip to Newcastle in October 1994 in the UEFA Cup, although they did eventually progress on the away goals rule with a 1-0 home win in the second leg of that tie.
- Newcastle are yet to keep a clean sheet against Athletic Bilbao.
- Seven of Newcastle’s eight goals have been scored between Anthony Gordon (4) and Harvey Barnes (3).
- Three of Athletic Bilbao’s four league phase goals this season have been scored by Gorka Guruzeta.
Prediction
Having taken an early lead at West Ham on Sunday, Newcastle seemed to somehow hit the control pedal but malfunctioned with a loss of creativity, which allowed the Hammers to wrestle control back and deliver a more clinically composed display amidst some terrible pieces of defending.
Athletic Bilbao meanwhile continue to have a leaky defence as evidenced by a single clean sheet since late August but there is no doubting their attacking quality, which was evident in how they came from behind twice in their eventual 3-2 loss at Real Sociedad.
Now if both teams bring their performances from the weekend into this game then this certainly should be a fun watch but I do think that Newcastle will bounce back here, especially in front of their home crowd which aren’t easy to play against on top of the team itself on the pitch.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Athletic Bilbao
Result: Newcastle 2-0 Athletic Bilbao
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