Newcastle United vs Borussia Dortmund: Champions League Match Preview, Team News, Lineups and Prediction
Newcastle United will host German giants Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League at the St. James’ Park.
The Magpies sit on top of Group F after claiming a draw and a win in their first two games since returning to the competition. Borussia Dortmund sit last with just one point out of a possible six.
Match Preview
Last time out, Newcastle United romped to their biggest-ever Champions League victory against PSG. The Magpies scored four goals against them to announce their comeback in the competition.
Eddie Howe’s side finished fourth in the Premier League last season and secured a place in the Champions League. Nonetheless, they were drawn in the group of death, with Milan, PSG and Dortmund.
Newcastle beat Crystal Palace 4-0 at the weekend and now sit in sixth place in the league after earning 16 points. The Magpies have now won six of their last eight games, scoring 20 goals in the process.
Borussia Dortmund have lost their last six games away to English sides in all competitions, conceding at least twice on each occasion. The German giants are featuring for the 18th time in the Champions League group stages.
However the 1997 Champions League winners may be on a brink of a group stage exit this year. They have earned one point from a possible six in Group F, this means a defeat on Wednesday would leave them dangling by a thread.
Despite being unbeaten in the Bundesliga, Dortmund find themselves in this situation. A win against the Magpies is much needed if they want to qualify for the next round.
Newcastle United team news
Meanwhile, Sven Botman (knee), Harvey Barnes (foot) and Joe Willock (calf) remain sidelined by injury. Alexander Isak is expected to lead the line this midweek.
Sandro Tonali, who may face a lengthy ban for betting, started on the bench for Newcastle’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace. He remains available for selection at the moment.
Borussia Dortmund teams news
Mateu Morey, Youssoufa Moukoko and Julian Duranville will be out for this clash. Julian Brandt will be important for Edin Terzic’s side as he created eight chances in the first two matchdays, five of those were against Milan.
Niclas Fullkrug is expected to lead the line for Dortmund on matchday 3. Furthermore, Sebastian Haller will also push for a starting spot as he has 11 goals in just ten appearances in the Champions League.
Newcastle United vs Borussia Dortmund: Predicted line-ups
Newcastle United (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Gordon
Borussia Dortmund (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Can, Ozcan; Brandt, Reus, Malen; Fullkrug
Prediction
Newcastle United 2-0 Borussia Dortmund
Newcastle United have lost just one game in their last 29 home fixtures, so to get a win against them might be a big challenge for Dortmund. Moreover, if they do lose against the Magpies, it will be their 50th defeat in the Champions League. Nevertheless, a defeat would put them in a real jeopardy to progress from Group F.
