Barcelona have won each of their last three meetings with Newcastle, but their very first encounter, back in 1997, did see the Magpies prevail 3-2 on Tyneside, thanks to a Tino Asprilla hat-trick.
Newcastle vs Barcelona preview
Newcastle are back in the Champions League, hoping to do rather better than they did two years ago. Back in 2023, the Magpies qualified for UEFA's premier club competition for the first time since 2002, but landed in a group of death. Eddie Howe's side did memorably hammer Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 at home, but collected just five points in total, thereby finishing bottom and crashing out.
This time, in the new format, they'll also host Benfica, Athletic Club and PSV, with away games against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen and Paris Saint-Germain, which certainly won't be easy, but they should reach the first knockout round at a minimum.
On Saturday, ahead of this massive game, Newcastle claimed their first win of the season, beating Wolves 1-0 at home, thanks to debutant Nick Woltemade's towering header. Before this, they'd played out goalless draws with Aston Villa and Leeds, suffering that heartbreaking, last-gasp 3-2 defeat to Liverpool in-between. Now, they will return to the Champions League with a bang, so can the Toon Army roar their side on to an historic victory at St James' Park on Thursday night?
As for Barcelona, they won a domestic treble last season in, what was, Hansi Flick's first year in charge. They finished four points clear at the top of La Liga, also defeating Real Madrid in the final of both the Supercopa de España and Copa del Rey. However, the campaign was not perfect because Barça were ousted in the Champions League semi-finals by Inter, drawing 3-3 at Montjuïc before a 4-3 defeat at San Siro after extra time crushed their hopes of reaching a first final for a decade.
As a result, the Blaugrana are doubly determined to go all the way this time, and they've looked pretty impressive in their outings so far. On Sunday night, at their tiny, temporary home of Estadi Johan Cruyff, Barcelona demolished Valencia 6-0; Fermín López, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski all scoring twice. This means Flick's side have ten points from four La Liga games so far, hammering Mallorca 3-0, fighting back from 2-0 down to defeat Levante 3-2 in the last minute, before a frustrating 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano at Vallecas before the international break.
This though will certainly be the toughest test they've faced so far. In the league phase, Barça will face PSG in Catalonia in a fortnight, before also hosting Olympiacos, Eintracht Frankfurt and København, with scheduled visits to Club Brugge, Chelsea and Sparta Praha. So, can the Spanish champions quell any potential party on Tyneside, or will they be rocked by the raucous St James' Park atmosphere?
Newcastle vs Barcelona head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 4.
- Newcastle United Wins: 1. Draws: Zero. Barcelona Wins: 3.
Newcastle team news
Eddie Howe is without Jacob Ramsey and new striker Yoane Wissa due to injury, but Anthony Gordon can feature, in the midst of a three-match domestic suspension.
Despite the arrival of Aaron Ramsdale, Nick Pope remains the number one goalkeeper, while Dan Burn will partner Fabian Schär at the back, chosen over new recruit Malick Thiaw.
Newcastle United predicted lineup vs Barcelona: (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schär, Burn, Livramento; Guimarães, Tonali, Joelinton; Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon.
Newcastle player to watch vs Barcelona
Anthony Elanga scored one Champions League goal for Manchester United, this against Atlético Madrid, so can the winger open his account in a Newcastle United shirt on Thursday?
Barcelona team news
The big news for Barcelona is that teenage superstar Lamine Yamal is sidelined, suffering a hamstring injury during Spain's 6-0 victory over Türkiye in Konya during the international break.
Meantime, Hansi Flick is also without left-back Alejandro Balde as well as midfield duo Frenkie de Jong and Gavi. In goal, Joan García, who arrived from city rivals Espanyol this summer, is very much the number one, usurping Wojciech Szczęsny and Marc-André ter Stegen from day one.
Roony Bardghji and Ferran Torres started against Valencia on Sunday night, but Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, both of whom scored braces off the bench, will return here. In the absence of Lamine, Marcus Rashford could keep his place on the left, very much yet to impress in a Blaugrana shirt.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Newcastle United: (4-3-3): García; Koundé, Araújo, Cubarsí, Martín; Casadó, Pedri, Fermín; Raphinha, Torres, Lewandowski.
Barcelona player to watch vs Newcastle
Robert Lewandowski's tally of 11 last seasons means he has scored 105 Champions League goals to date, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo (140) and Lionel Messi (129). He has scored against 38 different opponents in the competition, so can he add Newcastle to this list of victims?
Newcastle vs Barcelona prediction
This certainly should be a game worth tuning in for, but we are backing Barça for victory, likely to have too much attacking talent for Newcastle, even without Lamine: Newcastle United 1-3 Barcelona.
Newcastle vs Barcelona FAQs - UEFA Champions League
How to watch Newcastle United vs Barcelona in the Champions League on TV channel?
Newcastle United vs Barcelona in the Champions League will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 1 & Ultimate.
- USA: Paramount+, TUDN USA & Univision NOW
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Newcastle United vs Barcelona in the Champions League on live streaming?
Newcastle United vs Barcelona in the Champions League will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: Paramount+, TUDN.com & UniMás
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Newcastle United vs Barcelona in the Champions League?
Newcastle United vs Barcelona takes place on Thursday 18 September 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (BST), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PDT).