Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs Newcastle United

Bayer Leverkusen enter this crucial UCL clash in need of a response after suffering back-to-back Bundesliga defeats, falling 2-1 to Borussia Dortmund before a disappointing 2-0 loss against Augsburg. Those setbacks have pushed them 14 points adrift of the title race, meaning their continental ambitions temporarily take priority as they chase a third straight UCL victory [DDLWW]. Their impressive 2-0 triumph at Manchester City on Matchday five highlighted their potential at this level, but the shadow of their 7-2 collapse to PSG in their last home UCL game still lingers. Sitting 27th in the league phase table with eight points [2W, 2D, 1L], Kasper Hjulmand’s side are on the verge of making club history, as another win to nil would mark the first time Die Werkself have claimed three consecutive UCL victories without conceding. Recent trends against English opposition offer encouragement, with Leverkusen losing just one of their last six UEFA matches versus Premier League sides [3W, 2D, 1L] and keeping four clean sheets across that run. There are no fresh injury concerns for the hosts. Patrik Schick has scored in Die Werkself’s last two UCL matches, and he may start up front when a 3—4—2—1 setup is employed.

Newcastle travel to Germany buoyed by a strong domestic run, having secured a fourth straight unbeaten Premier League [WWDW] outing with a 2-1 victory over Burnley. Seven wins from their last 11 competitive matches [7W, 1D, 3L] underline their growing confidence, even if their UCL Matchday five 2-1 defeat to Marseille ended their sequence of three consecutive European wins [WWW] without reply and saw them slip from top eight to 11th place on nine points [3W, 0D, 2L]. History offers mixed signals for the Magpies: they famously beat Leverkusen 3-1 both home and away in their only previous European encounters back in 2002/03, yet they have since gone three games without a win against German teams [0W, 1D, 2L]. Their away record in Europe also raises caution, with just two victories across their last 13 continental road fixtures [2W, 6D, 5L]. There are fitness concerns for the Toon Army as defenders Sven Botman and Kieran Trippier are in the treatment room. Eddie Howe is expected to stick with a 4—3—3 formation, with Nick Woltemade, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy forming a trident attacking line.