Newcastle vs Borussia Dortmund in ucl
Newcastle United’s UEFA Champions League run has gone from “happy to be back” to “We can really do this” in record time following four points from six to start life in a perceived group of death.
The Magpies drew AC Milan 0-0 at the San Siro and then bullied Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 at St. James’ Park. They now sit first in Group F ahead of back-to-back scraps with Borussia Dortmund.
Newcastle starting lineup
Pope — Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Burn — Guimaraes, Longstaff, Joelinton — Almiron, Isak, Gordon
Focus on Newcastle United
The Magpies have claimed four of six points from their two matches following the 4-1 beatdown of PSG. That’s only good enough for sixth in the Premier League despite the most goals scored and joint-fourth fewest goals conceded.
OUT: Harvey Barnes (foot), Sven Botman (knee), Lewis Miley (illness) | QUESTIONABLE: Joe Willock (lower leg)
Borussia Dortmund lineup
Kobel — Wolf, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini — Can, Sabitzer, Nmecha — Reus, Fullkrug, Malen
Focus on Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund is two points off the top of the Bundesliga table, winners of five-straight in league play including Friday’s 1-0 defeat of Werder Bremen at the Westfalenstadion.
OUT: Thomas Meunier (muscular), Mateu Morey (knee), Antonios Papadopoulos (suspension)
The first of those meetings comes Wednesday at St. James’ Park, the same venue that saw Newcastle fire four past Crystal Palace at the weekend. The Magpies are rarely held off the score sheet, and have scored 21 goals in six matches since the scoreless draw with Milan on Sept. 19.
Dortmund’s in fine form, too, though their Champions League campaign has fluttered with a 2-0 loss at PSG prefacing a scoreless home draw with AC Milan.
But they’re cruising in the Bundesliga after a stop-start 1-2-0 start, one of three undefeated sides. BVB is second in the division for possession and third in expected goals, with Julian Brandt ably filling to role of playmaker with 26 chances created this season (second to Gladbach’s Franck Honorat).