St James’ Park will be rocking on Thursday evening as Newcastle United take on Barcelona in their Champions League opener. The Magpies are back in Europe’s elite competition after a difficult group-stage exit in 2023–24, while Hansi Flick’s men arrive with serious attacking momentum, fresh from demolishing Valencia 6-0. Both sides boast quality across the pitch, and that makes for an exciting Bet Builder with opportunities for value.
Here are three carefully selected picks, each with detailed reasoning.
Here’s our Bet Builder pick for Newcastle vs Barcelona, which has been placed with William Hill:
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Nick Woltemade Over 1 Shot on Target
Nick Woltemade marked his debut for Newcastle with a decisive header against Wolves, immediately justifying his price tag after arriving from Stuttgart. His ability to use his towering 6ft 6in frame makes him a constant aerial threat, and his 17 Bundesliga goals last season underline his finishing pedigree.
Eddie Howe will need Woltemade to step up in the absence of Alexander Isak, and Barcelona’s back line may find his physicality difficult to handle. With service expected from Anthony Gordon and Kieran Trippier, the German forward should receive a steady supply of crosses and cut-backs. That sort of delivery naturally leads to opportunities on target, especially against a Catalan defence missing Alejandro Balde and relying on a makeshift full-back pairing.
Woltemade is not only dangerous in the air but also confident striking from range, which gives him another route to troubling the goalkeeper. Given Newcastle’s strong home record in Europe and their likely desire to test Barça early, backing Woltemade for two or more efforts on target feels a sensible option.
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Dan Burn to be Carded
Dan Burn’s defensive discipline will be tested to the maximum against Barcelona’s wealth of attacking options. Whether deployed alongside Fabian Schär or rotated with Sven Botman, Burn’s primary role will be to disrupt Robert Lewandowski and track Raphinha’s inside runs. At 6ft 7in, he is a commanding presence, but his size often leaves him exposed against nimble forwards.
Barcelona thrive on quick interchanges around the edge of the area, and Burn is likely to be dragged out of position by clever movement. That naturally increases the risk of clumsy challenges or late tackles in wide areas. Flick’s side also attack heavily down the flanks, meaning Burn could be forced into recovery runs against rapid wingers.
In recent seasons, Burn has not shied away from the physical side of defending, and referees on the European stage tend to punish persistent fouls more readily than in the Premier League. Considering the context – a high-tempo opener against one of Europe’s most technically skilled outfits – the chances of Burn seeing a card look strong.
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Newcastle vs Barcelona Ultimate Bet Builder Tip | |
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Reasoning This Bet Builder highlights Newcastle’s new striker Woltemade testing Barcelona’s defence, alongside two likely bookings. Burn’s physical style and Kounde’s battle with Gordon provide fertile ground for cards. With both sides highly motivated, these selections balance attacking threat with defensive pressure, making this a well-rounded betting approach. | |
Jules Kounde to be Carded
At the other end, Jules Kounde is another candidate for disciplinary trouble. Often played at right-back in big matches, the Frenchman may be asked to contain Anthony Gordon, whose pace and direct dribbling are central to Newcastle’s attacking plan. Kounde’s natural position is centre-back, and although he is versatile, he can be caught out when isolated one-on-one against rapid wingers.
With Gordon fresh after missing domestic action due to suspension, he will be eager to make an impression under the lights at St James’ Park. His tendency to cut inside and draw fouls places Kounde under real pressure. Add in Woltemade’s aerial presence in the middle, which may force Kounde to cover central areas, and it is easy to see him being stretched.
European referees have often cautioned Kounde for tactical fouls when he has had to halt counter-attacks, and against a direct Newcastle side, such situations are almost guaranteed. His competitive streak is an asset for Barça, but in this match, it could just as easily land him in the referee’s notebook.
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