Newcastle vs. Barcelona Champions League prediction, start time, how to watch

St. James’ Park will stage the most prestigious European night of Eddie Howe’s tenure on Tuesday when Newcastle United host five-time champions Barcelona in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16. Kick-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET, and viewers in the United States can stream the contest live on Paramount+.

Newcastle arrive at the knockout phase as wide-eyed debutants, having never previously reached the last 16. Their passage was sealed with a swaggering 9-3 aggregate dismissal of Qarabag in the playoff round, yet domestic form has been uneven; the Magpies sit 12th in the Premier League and were beaten 2-1 by Barcelona at St. James’ Park during the league phase in September, a match in which former Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford struck twice on his return to English soil.

Howe, who labelled the tie “the biggest game in Newcastle’s recent history,” will hope the raucous Tyneside atmosphere can narrow the gap in pedigree. Barcelona, four points clear atop La Liga, advanced directly to the round of 16 after finishing fifth in the Champions League league phase. The Blaugrana have dominated the historical head-to-head, winning four of five previous meetings, and enter in buoyant mood thanks largely to 17-year-old winger Lamine Yamal, whose 17 goals and 12 assists across all competitions have made him the breakout star of the continent.

OddsWire lists Barcelona as narrow favorites to leave the North East with an advantage, but the consensus among analysts is that a fervent home crowd could keep the tie delicately poised ahead of the return leg at the Estadi Olímpic.

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