Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe is on course to make changes to his starting line-up as his side aim to notch a third consecutive Champions League victory when they go head-to-head with Spanish outfit Athletic Bilbao at St James' Park on Wednesday.
Despite being condemned to a domestic defeat by West Ham United last weekend and losing to Barcelona on the European stage this season, the Magpies have already seen off Union Saint-Gilloise and Benfica to put themselves in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages.
Athletic Bilbao head to Tyneside having been beaten by one of Newcastle's Premier League counterparts - Arsenal - and only have one win to their name at this stage of the competition. Both teams have some injury concerns, so GIVEMESPORT has looked at the team news and predicted how each side will start.
Newcastle Team News
Anthony Gordon England
Anthony Gordon was substituted at half-time of Newcastle's loss to West Ham on Sunday, with Howe confirming that the England international was nursing a hip problem. If he shakes off the injury, it is likely that he will be named among the substitutes instead of retaining a starting berth against Athletic Bilbao.
Kieran Tripper is expected to come into the fray in place of Emil Krafth at right-back, having missed the trip to east London, but Tino Livramento and Yoane Wissa are among the big-names to still be out of contention due to continuing their respective recoveries from knee issues.
Should Gordon make the bench alongside Sven Botman, Jacob Ramsey and Anthony Elanga - with the quartet being on contracts worth a combined total of £460,000-per-week before bonuses - Harvey Barnes will be on course to come into the starting line-up and be tasked with providing Nick Woltemade with service. A late call will be made on captain Bruno Guimaraes, who has been attempting to fight off illness.
Howe Drops Team News Update
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe after losing to West Ham United.
Howe, speaking in his pre-match press conference, confirmed that Sandro Tonali, Jacob Murphy, Trippier and Guimaraes have been struggling with a sickness bug going through the camp. He said:
"There's been a bit of illness going through the squad. Various players have picked something up. Sandro initially, Jacob Murphy, Kieran Trippier and now Bruno. We're making a decision on Bruno tomorrow. He's such an important player for us and he's clearly not been himself and that's why he missed training."
Newcastle Predicted XI
Sandro Tonali
Newcastle Predicted XI: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Schar, Burn; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; J. Murphy, Woltemade, Barnes.
Newcastle Predicted Substitutes: Ramsdale (GK), Thompson (GK), Hall (DEF), Botman (DEF), Krafth (DEF), A. Murphy (DEF), Willock (MID), Ramsey (MID), Miley (MID), Gordon (FWD), Elanga (FWD), Osula (FWD).
Athletic Bilbao Team News
Nico Williams in action for Athletic Bilbao
The big news coming out of Athletic Bilbao is that Nico Williams was not included in the travelling party to Newcastle, while brother Inaki Williams is not expected to feature until 2026 due to suffering an adductor problem during the Champions League victory over Qarabag last month. Yuri Berchiche and Oihan Sancet also did not board the flight.
Benat Prados and Unai Egiluz are unavailable, but they are in the final stages of their respective recoveries from anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Maroan Sannadi has found himself on the treatment table, while defender Yeray Alvarez cannot be involved until February after being hit with a doping suspension, meaning that head coach Ernesto Valverde has limited options.
Valverde Drops Team News Update
Athletic Bilbao head coach Ernesto Valverde watching on from the touchline
Valverde, speaking in his pre-match press conference, has insisted that he is not concerned despite being without the likes of Nico Williams and Sancet for the clash with Newcastle. The tactician said:
"I am not worried about the ones who aren't on the list. Nico [Williams] and Yuri [Sancet] are not fit to play, but we have players of quality in the squad."
Athletic Bilbao Predicted XI
Unai Simon in action for Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao Predicted XI: Simon; Gorosabel, Vivian, Laporte, Boiro; Rego, Jauregizar; Berenguer, Gomez, Navarro; Guruzeta.
Athletic Bilbao Predicted Substitutes: Padilla (GK), Santos (GK), Paredes (DEF), Areso (DEF), Izaguirre (DEF), Lekue (DEF), Vesga (MID), Ruiz de Galarreta (MID), I. Sanchez (MID), Hierro (MID), Serrano (FWD), S. Sanchez (FWD).