2025-26 UCL Round of 16: First Leg – Newcastle vs Barcelona

Newcastle host Barcelona in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League. 

Eddie Howe’s Magpies overcame Qarabag in their Knockout Play-Off tie to advance to this stage, whilst Barcelona finished fifth in the League Phase to bypass the first knockout stage.

 

Team News

Newcastle have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 3-1 FA Cup exit at home to Manchester City.

Emil Krafth, Lewis Miley (both knee), Bruno Guimaraes (hamstring) and Fabian Schar (ankle) remain absent.

Barcelona could be welcome Gavi back into contention if he passes a late fitness check, having been sidelined with a knee injury since August 2025.

Alejandro Balde, Jules Kounde (hamstring), Andreas Christensen (ACL),  Jofre Torrents (calf), Frenkie De Jong (thigh) and Toni Fernandez (ankle) are ruled out.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Newcastle host Barcelona on Tuesday 10 March at 8pm GMT, live on Amazon Prime in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Newcastle have won one of five previous Champions League meetings against Barcelona (W1, L4).
• Barcelona have won two of their three previous visits to Newcastle in this competition (W2, L1), which included a 2-1 win on the opening matchweek of the league phase this season.
• Newcastle have denied Barcelona clean sheets in two of their three previous clashes on Tyneside.
• Howe’s Magpies have kept clean sheets in three of their last four Champions League matches at home (W4).
• Barcelona failed to keep a single clean sheet in their four away matches in the League Phase (W2, D1, L1).

 

Prediction

Having initially took the fight to City on Saturday and got the lead, Newcastle will be disappointed at how they allowed City to come from behind to win as that now leaves them needing to put their eggs into the Champions League basket if want European football next season.

Barcelona meanwhile were far dominant and clinical in their attacking play when they visited Newcastle in the League Phase but now have Lamine Yamal back after he missed that trip, so I expect them to be even stronger and difficult to keep quiet if they turn up with the right attitude.

I though do expect Newcastle to be fired up for this because this competition is now their only hope of silverware but it’s hard to not see Barcelona winning here, then sealing the job at home next Wednesday.

Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Barcelona

Result: Newcastle 1-1 Barcelona