Newcastle United are hoping to spring a major shock in the Champions League as they take on Barcelona in the last 16 this week.
The Magpies are having a difficult season as they attempt to juggle the physical demands of competing on multiple fronts. Having breezed through the post-group phase play-offs with a commanding win over Qarabag, the Tynesiders will be hoping to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in their history, having already reached the last 16 for the first time ever.
They're currently 12th in the league table with 39 points from 29 games, and while this season hasn't quite gone to plan, there's still plenty left to salvage. Their form is mixed with five wins and five defeats from ten games. Eddie Howe's men are also one of the most consistently entertaining sides in Europe, with all of their last ten seeing BTTS occur and over 2.5 goals scored.
Having already lost 1-2 to Barcelona in a group-phase game at St James' Park earlier in the season, Newcastle fans will be wary of the task ahead. This game represents a huge uphill task for Newcastle as they face a Barcelona side coming into form.
The Blaugrana finished 5th in the group phase of the Champions League and come into this game as the clear favourites. Having experienced a brief winter wobble in form, Hansi Flick's men appear to be hitting full stride again as they come into this game with four wins on the bounce and eight wins from their last ten.
Like Newcastle, Barcelona are consistently high-event, with nine of their last ten games seeing over 2.5 goals scored. Central to the team's goalscoring exploits is Lamine Yamal, whose form is imperious with eight goals in his last ten outings.
Yamal playing at the peak of his powers combined with the rest of the team functioning as it should makes Barcelona a fearsome proposition. Newcastle will not be devoid of spirit, but they might struggle to avoid defeat here.
Newcastle 1-2 Barcelona
