These two clubs have met only once before, wining Newcastle winning both meetings 3-1 during the Champions League second group phase in 2002/03, albeit the pair were both eliminated.
The Magpies have won two of four previous visits to Germany; Bayer Leverkusen have lost just one of their last five home matches against English opposition.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Newcastle preview
After five Champions League fixtures, Newcastle United sit 11th in the gigantic league table, requiring at least six points from their final three fixtures to be in with a chance of a top eight finish. Last time out in this competition, Eddie Howe's side were beaten 2-1 by Marseille, taking a very early lead through Harvey Barnes, but then conceding twice in four minutes immediately after half time at Stade Vélodrome. Before this, the Magpies had enjoyed three successive victories in the league phase, beating Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Benfica and Athletic Club, so have nine point on the board. In January, they will welcome PSV Eindhoven to Tyneside, before traveling to Paris Saint-Germain on the final matchday, which certainly won't be easy, meaning every point counts.
Back in the Premier League, the Magpies have started to find form, accumulating ten points from their last four matches. This includes beating ten-man Burnley 2-1 on Saturday, with Bruno Guimarães breaking the deadlock before Anthony Gordon converted a penalty. This is the start of a crucial fortnight or so for Newcastle. They face Sunderland in the Tyne–Wear derby on Sunday, before an EFL Cup quarter-final against Fulham, followed by league clashes with Chelsea and then Man United on Boxing Day. Before any of that, will the Geordies at BayArena be celebrating a win?
As for Bayer Leverkusen, having beaten one Premier League club in recent times, they are targeting another scalp. Two weeks ago, die Werkself beat an admittedly heavily rotated Manchester City 2-0 in a major shock, thanks to goals from Álex Grimaldo and Patrik Schick at the Etihad. That made it back-to-back Champions League victories, also battling to a 1-0 victory over Benfica in Lisbon. Overall, die Schwarzroten have eight points on the board, holding København and PSV to draws, having been smashed 7-2 by PSG at home in October. This is the first time they've ever conceded seven at home but, with Olympiacos and Villarreal their last two opponents, Bayer remain on course to progress.
Meantime, in the Bundesliga, following Erik ten Hag's ill-fated two match tenure, Kasper Hjulmand did steady the ship, winning seven of his first nine matches in charge, beaten only by Bayern Munich. However, die Werkself do come into this clash following back-to-back league defeats, defeated 2-1 by Borussia Dortmund and then 2-0 at strugglers Augsburg on Saturday. In short, Bayer are a solid if not elite side, so Newcastle are more than capable of collecting a result at BayArena.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Newcastle United head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 2.
- Bayer Leverkusen Wins: Zero. Draws: Zero. Newcastle United Wins: 2.
Bayer Leverkusen team news
Edmond Tapsoba and Robert Andrich can start in defence, after both missed the trip to Manchester suspended, albeit Álex Grimaldo, Lucas Vázquez, Equi Fernández and Exequiel Palacios are all injured.
So, Ernest Poku will deputise for Grimaldo at left-wing-back, with American international Malik Tillman deployed as part of the front three.
Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineup vs Newcastle United: (3-4-3): Flekken; Badé, Tapsoba, Andrich; Hofmann, Maza, García, Poku, Tillman, Terrier, Schick.
Bayer Leverkusen player to watch vs Newcastle
Patrik Schick has eight goals to his name this season, so can he net in a third successive Champions League appearance?
Newcastle team news
Eddie Howe is without Kieran Trippier and Sven Botman while, with Sunday's derby in mind, he will almost certainly rotate his team, to what extent is the question.
Aaron Ramsdale will start a fourth successive match in goal; Nick Pope has not been seen since his calamitous error at the Vélodrome.
Elsewhere, 96 days after joining the club, Yoane Wissa finally made his debut off the bench on Saturday following a knee injury. Assuming Howe will rotate, Lewis Miley and Harvey Barnes are likely to come into the side; Joelinton and Dan Burn are one booking away from suspension.
Newcastle United predicted lineup vs Bayer Leverkusen: (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Guimarães, Miley; Barnes, Woltemade, Gordon.
Newcastle player to watch vs Bayer Leverkusen
Nick Woltemade remains Newcastle's main man for goals, bagging seven so far this season. He's found the net during both of their away wins across all competitions, these at Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and Everton, so can the German fire them to a win in Germany?
Bayer Leverkusen vs Newcastle United prediction
This clash at BayArena is tough to call. Newcastle's away form is not impressive, while it is tough to get a read on Bayer, hence why we're forecasting a draw: Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Newcastle United.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Newcastle FAQs - UEFA Champions League
How to watch Bayer Leverkusen vs Newcastle in the Champions League on TV channel?
Bayer Leverkusen vs Newcastle United in the Champions League will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 3
- USA: CBS Sports Network & Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Bayer Leverkusen vs Newcastle in the Champions League on live streaming?
Bayer Leverkusen vs Newcastle United in the Champions League will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Bayer Leverkusen vs Newcastle in the Champions League?
Bayer Leverkusen vs Newcastle United takes place on Wednesday 10 December 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (GMT), 15:00 (ET) & 12:00 (PT).