Qarabag v Newcastle United: How to watch on TV and the latest injury news affecting Eddie Howe’s squad ahead of their Champions League clash in Azerbaijan.
The Magpies make the long trip to Azerbaijan for the first-leg of their Champions League play-off round game with Qarabag aiming to secure a good result to bring back with them to Tyneside next week. Eddie Howe’s side finished 12th in the league phase table, whilst their opponents finished 22nd.
Qarabag qualified with ten points from their eight league phase matches. Against English opposition, they have drawn one (2-2 at home to Chelsea on 5 November) and lost one (6-0 away to Liverpool on 28 January) so far this season.
The two teams will lock horns twice inside seven days with the return leg at St James’ Park scheduled to take place on Tuesday night with either Chelsea or Barcelona awaiting the winners. Here, we take a look at everything fans need to know ahead of Newcastle United’s Champions League clash with Qarabag this evening:
When is Qarabag v Newcastle United? Is Qarabag v Newcastle United on TV?
The Champions League knockout play-off match between Qarabag and Newcastle United kicks-off at 5:45pm UK time. Local time for the game in Baku will be 9:45pm.
The game will be shown on TV in the United Kingdom. TNT Sports will broadcast the match, with their coverage beginning at 5pm. Tonight's match can also be streamed online through Discovery +. A month’s TNT Sports pass through Discovery + can be purchased for £30.99.
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Tonight’s game in Azerbaijan will be refereed by Norwegian official Espen Ekas. He will be assisted by fellow countrymen Jan Erik Engan and Isaak Elias Bashevkin in Baku with Sigurd Kringstad on fourth official duty. VAR will be operated by Dutch pair Rob Diepernik and Dennis Higler.
Newcastle United injury news v Qarabag
Newcastle United will be without a host of key players for tonight’s game, including their captain Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazilian has been ruled-out of action until after the international break after suffering a muscle injury in the final few minutes of their win over Tottenham Hotspur last week.
Howe will also be without Fabian Schar and Tino Livramento for their trip to Azerbaijan as both players remain sidelined with long-term injuries. Emil Krafth, meanwhile, has been removed from the club’s Champions League ‘List A’ squad and thus is ineligible to feature.
The Swedish international has been suffering with a knee injury for the last three months and Howe has confirmed that he is likely to miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery. John Ruddy has been added to that squad in Krafth’s absence.
Yoane Wissa, Sven Botman and Lewis Miley will all miss out with minor injuries also. However, Joelinton is back in the squad and has travelled to Azerbaijan with his teammates. He hasn’t featured for the club since their defeat against Aston Villa in the Premier League at the end of January.
“He's back in the squad which is a great boost for us,” Howe said about the Brazilian. “He's such an important player and a big presence in our squad. A real leader. He trained well yesterday and felt really good, so delighted with his return.”
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