Newcastle vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
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Newcastle United will be hoping to get back on track in their inconsistent campaign as the Magpies welcome a similarly inconsistent Athletic Club side to St James’ Park.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Newcastle preview: Frustrated Magpies
Newcastle United took the lead against struggling West Ham United at the London Stadium the other day, but they succumbed to a 3-1 loss. That raised voices of concern over their inconsistency and their poor form on the road.
At home, they have been stronger and, in the UEFA Champions League, they most recently dispatched Portuguese giants Benfica by three goals to nil, courtesy of strikes from Anthony Gordon and a Harvey Barnes brace.
Athletic Bilbao preview: Frustrated Basque
With former Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde at the helm, Athletic Club have been very impressive but the Basque giants have returned to being inconsistent this season as slip into the bottom-half of La Liga ahead of this one.
In the UEFA Champions League, Athletic have suffered defeats to both Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund before having to come from behind at San Mames to defeat Azeri champions Qarabag a couple of weeks ago.
Newcastle team news: Gordon a doubt
England international winger Anthony Gordon has been receiving criticism for some poor performances of late and he is now a doubt, whilst both Tino Livramento and Yoane Wissa are both sidelined.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Woltemade, Barnes
Unavailable: Livramento (Injured), Wissa (Injured)
Questionable: Trippier (Illness), Gordon (Injured)
Athletic Bilbao team news: Williams issues
Athletic could be without Nico Williams, as he is dealing with an adductor issue, whilst his brother Inaki, is a confirmed absentee with the same injury concern.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Simon; Gorosabel, Paredes, Laporte, Berchiche; Jauregizar, Ruiz de Galarreta; Berenguer, Sancet, N. Williams; Guruzeta
Unavailable: Lekue (Injured), I. Williams (Injured), Sannadi (Injured)
Questionable: N. Williams (Injured)
Newcastle vs Athletic Bilbao prediction
Newcastle had started with a loss to Barcelona but a hammering of Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and that victory against Benfica means they are in a healthy position in the league phase. They are also perhaps coming up against an ideal opponent to re-establish some fluency and form as they take on an Athletic side that are lacking any real form at the moment, and so siding with Newcastle appears the way to go for this one.
Newcastle vs Athletic Bilbao Tip: Newcastle to win
