Overview
- Newcastle enter on nine points to Leverkusen’s eight, with a top-eight finish securing automatic passage to the last 16 and avoiding the playoff round.
- Eddie Howe’s side are without first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope, so Aaron Ramsdale is expected to start, with further absences stretching Newcastle’s defensive options.
- Leverkusen will be missing Exequiel Palacios because of a groin injury, Jarell Quansah is set to feature in a back three, and Alejandro Grimaldo faces a late fitness test.
- Form guides differ: Leverkusen followed a 2-0 win at Manchester City with a 2-0 defeat to Augsburg, while Newcastle have won only one Champions League away game since 2023 and lost 2-1 at Marseille after leading.
- Bookmakers rate Newcastle slight favourites, with odds around 13/10 for the visitors, 2/1 for Leverkusen and roughly 13/5 the draw at the time of publishing.