Qarabag host Newcastle in the first leg of their Champions League knockout phase playoff tie on Wednesday night at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium.
Qarabag have already made history this season after recording their first-ever Champions League victory, a dramatic 3-2 win over Benfica in September.
Further wins against Copenhagen and Eintracht Frankfurt helped secure progression despite a heavy defeat to Liverpool on the final matchday of the league phase.
Gurban Gurbanov’s side have been particularly strong in Baku, scoring at least twice in three of their four home matches.
They also held Chelsea to a 2-2 draw and pushed Ajax in a high-scoring contest.
Newcastle travel to Azerbaijan hoping to improve their away record in Europe. Since beating Union Saint-Gilloise earlier in the campaign, Eddie Howe’s side have failed to win on the road, losing in Marseille and drawing with both Bayer Leverkusen and Paris Saint-Germain.
Their draw in Paris was viewed as a strong result and the Magpies arrive in good domestic form following consecutive wins over Tottenham and Aston Villa.
Team news for Qarabag v Newcastle
Qarabag goalkeeper Shahrudin Mahammadaliyev is expected to remain unavailable through injury. Kady Borges is likely to feature despite a recent dismissal, while attackers Camilo Duran and Leandro Andrade continue to provide the main goal threat after accounting for a significant share of the team’s European goals.
Newcastle have several injury concerns. Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth are all ruled out, while Sven Botman, Lewis Miley and Yoane Wissa face late fitness checks.
Anthony Gordon has been Newcastle’s standout performer in the competition with six goals and two assists, and he is expected to play a key role alongside Harvey Barnes, who has also contributed regularly in Europe this season.
Expected line-ups for Qarabag v Newcastle
Qarabag: Kochalski; Silva, Mustafazada, Medina, Cafarquliyev; Bicalho, Jankovic; Andrade, Montiel, Zoubir; Duran
Newcastle: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Ramsey, Tonali; Elanga, Willock, Gordon; Woltemade
The stats for Qarabag v Newcastle
- Qarabag are the first Azerbaijani side to reach this stage of the Champions League
- The hosts have scored at least twice in three of their four home European matches this season
- Newcastle are winless in three away fixtures in the competition this term
- Anthony Gordon has six goals in this season’s Champions League
- The second leg will be played at St James’ Park
Prediction
Qarabag
1
–
2
Newcastle
Qarabag’s attacking form in Baku suggests they will cause problems, but Newcastle’s quality in forward areas should ensure they return to England with the tie still tipped in their favour.
