The 2025/26 UCL league phase continues on Thursday as Barcelona make the trip from Spain to England to take on Newcastle at St. James’ Park.
Barca are slight +135 favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook for this one, with a draw available at +270. Fancy a win for the Magpies? They are +180 on the moneyline.
Newcastle vs. Barcelona Prediction, Pick
For this bet to hit, we need Barcelona to win the game. If the match ends up in a draw, the bet will void. I feel fairly confident in this pick, as Barcelona were one of the best teams in this competition last season and are primed for another deep run in this season’s tournament.
For Newcastle, they are back in the UCL for the first time since the 2023/24 season, when they were knocked out in the group stage. Barcelona made it to the semi-finals of last year’s competition, losing a closely contested semi-final to Inter Milan. They played 14 games in total, winning nine, drawing twice and losing three. I expect a similar run from them this season, especially in the league phase. They are the reigning champions of Spain for a reason, and I think Newcastle have their hands full on Thursday.
These teams haven’t faced off since 2003, so we can throw the previous head-to-head history out the window.
Barca have won three of their first four games in La Liga this season, the only blip being a 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano. Newcastle have had a far worse start, winning only one of their first four Premier League games. When you add in the Alexander Isak saga, it’s been a nightmare start to the new season for them.
Expect St. James’ Park to be rocking as always on a Champions League night, but the crowd can only do so much. Barca are the far superior footballing side, and I think that will show itself throughout the 90 minutes. Tie No Bet feels perfect for this scenario. I lean towards the Spanish side, but a draw certainly isn’t out of the realm of possibility with the game being played in Newcastle.
