It’s Matchday 11 in the Champions League, and a familiar scene as we host Barcelona at St James’ Park for the second time this season.
In the first fixture, we were arguably the better team on the night, but some brilliant goals from Marcus Rashford stunned us and saw the Catalan giants secure all three points.
But the stakes are even higher this time around, and Eddie Howe has gone so far as to call this the biggest game in the club’s history.
Here’s how the teams lineup on another huge night under the lights in the North East.
**Newcastle XI:** Ramsdale – Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall – Tonali, Ramsey, Joelinton – Elanga, Osula, Barnes
**Subs:** Pope, Ruddy, Harris, Botman, Wissa, Gordon, Livramento, J.Murphy, Willock, Woltemade, A.Murphy, Neave
**Barcelona XI:** Garcia – Cancelo, Cubarsi, Araujo, Martin – Pedri, Bernal, Fermin Lopez – Raphinha, Lewandowski, Yamal
There’s some big changes from Saturday night’s game against Man City, with Eddie Howe picking Will Osula to lead the line tonight, with Anthony Gordon not 100% to start tonight.
Joelinton returns to the midfield after being benched amidst fears Howe was managing his workload to avoid injury. He partners Sandro Tonali and the returning Jacob Ramsey.
Nick Pope is still on the bench, with Aaron Ramsdale in between the sticks in perhaps the biggest game of his career since his Arsenal days.
Tino Livramento had a brief second half cameo at the weekend, but the England international still isn’t fit enough to start just yet. Big Dan Burn meanwhile takes the spot of Sven Botman. Malick Thiaw also returns having been suspended for the second leg against Qarabag.
Meanwhile for the visitors, a mini injury crisis has means Hansi Flick’s without Frenkie de Jong and Gavi in his midfield. The ever-formidable Gavi is in the centre of the pitch however.
There’s also no Eric Garcia in the defence, as he was ruled out very close to kick off due to discomfort. Pau Cubarsi is joined in the defence by Ronald Araujo.
There’s no place for Rashford this time around, as Lamine Yamal and Raphinha out wide might be the toughest test any Newcastle team has ever had to face during Howe’s tenure.
Tonight’s game could be a Champions League classic, and a big win is needed tonight if we want to head to the Nou Camp next week in the best shape possible. Howay The Lads!