Newcastle welcome Borussia Dortmund to St James’ Park in the Champions League this week, looking to build on their incredible win over Paris Saint-Germain.
The Magpies demolished PSG 4-1 on a historic night last month and are currently top of the so-called ‘group of death’.
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Eddie Howe’s side are unbeaten in all competitions since August and will be full of confidence as Dortmund travel to Tyneside.
They have also never lost to German opposition in Europe, while the visitors have lost their last six visits to England.
Newcastle vs Dortmund: Date and how to follow
This Champions League clash will take place on Wednesday, October 25.
Kick-off at St James’ Park is scheduled for 8pm.
The game will be broadcast on TNT Sport 2 and TNT Sports Ultimate.
Fans can sign up to watch the action on TNT Sports for £29.99 per month. More details can be found here.
talkSPORT will have regular updates from Steve Harmison on Tyneside and talkSPORT.com will have a live blog to keep you up to date with the action.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
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You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
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Newcastle vs Dortmund: Team news
The Magpies will be without Sven Botman, who is struggling with a knee issue, meaning Jamaal Lascelles will continue to fill in.
Sandro Tonali is unlikely to feature with his ban for illegal betting now imminent.
The Italian international is reportedly set to be out of action for ten to 12 months.
Emil Krafth is still recovering from an ACL but Joe Willock is finally back in training.
Harvey Barnes is out until the new year with a toe injury.
For the visitors, Youssoufa Moukoko remains out.
Mateu Morey and Julian Duranville will also be absent for Edin Terzic’s men, but barring that trio, he has a full squad to choose from.
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Newcastle vs Dortmund: What has been said?
Toon boss Howe fears that the toughest times are ahead for Tonali.
The player is reportedly about to be banned for illegal gambling and his manager is worried.
He said: “I think the hardest part is ahead regardless of what happens.
“Immediately, you get a lot of attention and people are talking about the situation. He’s had the love of the supporters today, but that’s difficult to maintain over a long period of time. Who knows what’s ahead?
“I just think it’s great for him to know he’s got the support, not just of the senior management at the football club and the manager, but also the support of the supporters and they’re the most important people.”
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Newcastle vs Dortmund: Match facts
- This is the first competitive meeting between Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund – the Magpies have never lost against German opponents in all European competition (W4 D1), most recently drawing 0-0 with Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2006-07 UEFA Cup.
- Borussia Dortmund have lost their last six away games against English sides in all competitions, conceding at least twice each time. All four of their away wins against English clubs have been against different opposition – West Ham in 1966, Manchester United in 1997, Arsenal in 2013 and Tottenham Hotspur in 2016.
- Newcastle earned their biggest ever UEFA Champions League victory against PSG last time out (4-1). The Magpies have won 60% of their home games in the competition (6/10), compared to just 20% away from home (2/10).
- Borussia Dortmund have failed to score in each of their last three UEFA Champions League games, as many times as in their previous 28 matches. They’ve never gone four without a goal in the competition before.
- Borussia Dortmund have had 14 more shots than Newcastle (32-18) in the UEFA Champions League this season; however, the German side are yet to score while the Magpies have the second-highest shot conversion rate through the first two matchdays (22.2%).
- Newcastle United – who won 4-1 v PSG on MD2 – have had the fewest touches in the opposition box in the UEFA Champions League in the first two matchdays (23), as well as having the lowest xG (1.2) among all sides in this period.
- Defeat for Borussia Dortmund would be their 50th loss in the UEFA Champions League, making them the 15th side to reach that milestone. With this their 149th game, they would be the eighth side to reach 50 losses in fewer than 150 games (Galatasaray 102, Dynamo Kyiv 103, Olympiakos 105, PSV 106, Shakhtar Donetsk 112, Benfica 128 and FC Porto 146).
- Only Real Sociedad (6) have had more shots following a high turnover than Borussia Dortmund (5) in the opening two matchdays of the UEFA Champions League this season. However, Newcastle are one of seven sides yet to face a shot from a high turnover in this period.
- As of the end of matchday two, Sandro Tonali has played more minutes than any other midfielder in the UEFA Champions League since the start of last season (1,190). Indeed, the only outfield player to play more in this period is Manchester City defender Rúben Dias (1,221).
- No player created more chances than Julian Brandt through the first two matchdays in the UEFA Champions League this season (8), with five of those coming in Borussia Dortmund’s draw against Milan last time out in the competition.
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