Newcastle United face Barcelona tonight (March 18th) in one of the biggest matches in the club’s history. Eddie Howe has taken his Magpies to Camp Nou for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie.
The scores are level on aggregate following a 1-1 draw in the first leg at St James’ Park. The Tyneside giants were unfortunate not to come away with a victory, but came desperately close to doing so.
Harvey Barnes gave Newcastle the lead with a fine finish in the 86th minute to send the Toon Army into dreamland. But the only error Malick Thiaw has made this season was tripping Dani Olmo in the box, and Lamine Yamal sent Aaron Ramsdale the wrong way with the last kick of the game from the penalty spot.
Newcastle team news
Sandro Tonali’s availability is the main talking point ahead of tonight’s game after missing the 1-0 win over Chelsea on Saturday. The Italian sat out a record-breaking victory at Stamford Bridge due to illness.
Howe told reporters in his pre-match press conference:
“We’ll have a look at it today. Today’s the first day we’ve seen him. (It’s) an opportunity for hopefully him to train, if he feels strong enough. We’ll make a decision tomorrow.”
Tonali isn’t the only fitness concern heading into the battle with Barca at Camp Nou. Bruno Guimaraes has travelled with the squad but to support them from the stands as he continues to recover from a thigh problem.
Howe ruled Lewis Miley out of the game and also suggested he won’t be fit to face Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday (March 22nd). But he has his “fingers crossed” that Joe Willock will be fit tonight after the English midfielder came off against Chelsea.
Expected XI
Howe has several huge decisions to make regarding his team selection for possibly the biggest match of his managerial career. He’ll take confidence from the performance in the first leg and as such might be keen to continue with the same team that impressed that night.
Aaron Ramsdale can be expected to continue in goal, having recently become the club’s number one. One dilemma Howe might have is who to start at right-back.
Tino Livramento has been superb and offers an energetic profile. But Kieran Trippier has years of experience and knows how to handle big occasions.
Howe should go with Livramento, given his form, and try to deal with Raphinha’s pace. Malick Thiaw will start in central defence, probably alongside Dan Burn, although Sven Botman started against Chelsea.
Lewis Hall will be the one to watch, and if he can nullify Lamine Yamal’s threat once again, it bodes well. If Sandro Tonali is fit, he starts in a midfield three with Joelinton and Jacob Ramsey.
In attack, the pace of Anthony Elanga should see him get the nod over Jacob Murphy. It’s vital that the Magpies make the most of their counter-attacking situations.
Harvey Barnes will continue on the left wing, and Anthony Gordon should lead the line. The English forward scored the winner against Chelsea and will be eager to prove his recent critics wrong.
Expected XI: Ramsdale; Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Joelinton, Ramsey; Elanga, Gordon, Barnes
Prediction
Newcastle will have to conjure up something special to advance to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. It might just trump the glorious day out at Wembley, which saw the Magpies win the Carabao Cup last season.
This Barcelona team can get got at, and their defensive vulnerabilities will make for an interesting affair. If Howe’s troops can capitalise on the counter as they did at Stamford Bridge, it could lead to a famous European night.
There’s something about this Champions League campaign that feels as though a big twist is needed. The big guns got the job done on the other side of the draw last night.
A dream scenario is a stunning victory courtesy of an extra-time winner from Gordon after Barca bombards Ramsdale’s goal. But that is more than possible given the recent upturn in form.
Prediction: Barcelona 1-2 Newcastle (AET)
