Twenty-eight years on from United's memorable 3-2 win over the Catalan giants at St James' Park, the teams meet again on Tyneside.
It promises to be quite the occasion. Here are the big talking points ahead of the game:
ANTHONY GORDON'S RETURN AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR NICK WOLTEMADE
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Anthony Gordon is available to feature for Newcastle, with his current suspension only applying in domestic competitions, so what does Howe do with the former Everton forward?
First of all, does he start him? It feels likely. The 24-year-old will be fresh after missing Newcastle's last two games and will also be desperate to make amends for his red card which proved costly against Liverpool.
If Gordon does come into the starting XI, the wise money would be on a straight swap for Harvey Barnes on Newcastle's left flank.
But does Howe actually have an interesting decision to make on Nick Woltemade?
The club's record signing got off to the perfect start in black and white with his winner against Wolves, so will surely be in from the off again, won't he?
However, it will come down to whether Howe believes his recent recruit is ready to start three games in nine days. With Gordon seeing out his three-match ban and unavailable at Bournemouth on Sunday, Woltemade will have to start at the Vitality Stadium, unless Howe opts for Will Osula
Pace on the counter will be pivotal for Newcastle against Barcelona, so Gordon as the starting striker might be deemed a good fit. That's also the case with Anthony Elanga on the right, though it would be extremely harsh on Jacob Murphy if he was left out after setting up the Woltemade winner against Wolves.
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BARCELONA SENT WARNING
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Barcelona lumbered up for their Newcastle trip with a 6-0 thumping of Valencia on Sunday. Without Lamine Yamal.
But Hansi Flick's side will head for Tyneside with their eyes wide open.
Spanish newspaper Sport fired a warning to the La Liga champions this week when they described Newcastle as "ruthless monsters" and the same piece described Eddie Howe's midfield trio of Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes as one of Europe's best.
Two years ago, PSG simply couldn't cope with the intensity of Newcastle's players and supporters. The Magpies and their home might have been something of an unknown quantity at that stage given their lengthy absence from Europe's top competition.
But Barcelona will surely head for the North East knowing exactly what to expect.
YAMAL ANGER
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Yamal was absent for Barcelona against Valencia after aggravating a groin problem during the international break.
And the teenage superstar was again missing when Barcelona trained on Tuesday, with the 18-year-old a major doubt for Thursday's game.
Yamal did do some light individual work on Tuesday but at this stage it would be a major surprise if he was to feature at St James' Park.
Flick was furious at Spain's handling of Yamal, with the forward having featured heavily in his national side's comfortable victories over Bulgaria and Turkey despite needing painkillers to get through the games.
“He \[Yamal\] went off to play for Spain with some pain and did not train,” said Flick.
“They gave him painkillers so he could play. They had at least a three-goal lead in both matches, and he still played 73 and 79 minutes. Between the games, he wasn’t able to train. That’s not looking after the player. I’m very sad about this.”
LEWIS HALL'S SITUATION
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Seven months have passed since Lewis Hall's last start for [Newcastle United](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/newcastle).
The left-back has been available since the start of the campaign, but having missed pre-season, Howe is understandably reluctant to push too quickly.
Hall has so far played just 43 minutes of action this season.
So when will he be deemed ready to start? That opportunity from the off feels extremely unlikely to come on Thursday, when Howe will almost certainly stick with Tino Livramento and Kieran Trippier.
Bradford at home in the Carabao Cup third round doesn't have the same appeal as Barcelona in the Champions League, but next Wednesday's visit of the Bantams is the ideal opportunity to give Hall his chance.
If Hall can quickly rediscover his form from last season, once he's back in the side he'll stay there.
WHAT DO NEWCASTLE NEED?
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What do Newcastle need from their eight games in the league phase if they're to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League?
Last season, 11 points was enough to secure a place in the top 24 and 16 points was what was required to earn a top eight spot, which secures automatic qualification for the last 16.
Newcastle were handed the most brutal assignment when they returned to the Champions League two years ago, and while Barcelona at home doesn't exactly ease the Magpies in, Benfica, Athletic Club and PSV all look like good opportunities for Eddie Howe's side.
Newcastle will fancy their chances of getting something in Belgium when they take on Union SG as well.
Thursday won't decide Newcastle's fate, but what a boost it would be and what a springboard if the Magpies could start with a positive result.