Newcastle v Barca

Barca were vastly superior in group game.

Not quite same barca team of course today

Newcastle been well below their best of late
fatigue kicking in, and strikers not firing.

It's a first leg though, so harder to punt on

Looking forward to the game, all the same, could
be a while until ucl comes back to sjp...

Looking forward to see how Lewis Hall copes with lamine yamal

Best test for the lad.

They are shorter than they were in the league phase. They will be happy with a draw. They dominated possession in the first game but it was even enough on chances. Newc should have gone in front before Rashford scored 2 from a combined xG of 0.06, although the header was prob a better chance than 0.04. Barca didn't create much before that.

De Jong was superb in that game and is out but so is Bruno. Might be some chances for Elanga to break the offside trap if Barca play their high line and he is selected. He is useless against low blocks. Would be a good out ball for Newc against Barca's press.

I wish we would hit ball over the top more often rather than playing it
to their feet. Gordon, Elanga, and Barnes are all
quick, Murphy no slouch either.

Like you say its a good out ball, and force them to drop
deeper earlier.

Teams need to mix up their play especially against the so called 'low block', The Dutch teams of the 70s used love shooting from 25 yards.

If you have folk who can,... Ari Haan, 40 yarder, lovely...

https://youtu.be/TaCj1iokmI8

..

Think prices about right, though expected Barca to be nearer Evens

A very physical start for Newcastle

2.8 into 2.3

Yamal should be out of the 2nd leg but ref says no

didn't seem the most likely 0-0 HT

Newcastle fought for every ball

1.01    £37,287.89        £21,147.41       
1.02    £8,249.03        £40,548.15   

Pen

1-1

Not watching, seems to be a LOT of stoppage time

That Barnes lad should try stay on his feet a bit more often