Champions League: Moody Magpies Fly Back into Europe

Newcastle United vs Athletic Bilbao

European football is back on the agenda this week and that may well be a welcome relief for both clubs when Champions League: Newcastle vs Athletic Club kicks off at St James Park on Wednesday evening.   

Neither team had a good weekend in the run up to this clash. Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United went down to struggling West Ham United and Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Bilbao lost the Basque Derby. And, while the Newcastle vs Athletic Club betting odds say the Magpies are favourites to win this clash, they have been dogged by inconsistency and sit 13^th in the Premier League table. The La Liga side isn’t doing much better in 11^th place in the Primera Division.  

But this is the Champions League, and last time out Bilbao got off the mark with a win over Qarabag while the Magpies made it back to back wins with an impressive 3-0 victory over Benfica, which lifted them up into the automatic qualification places. Another victory for the Geordies would put them in a very handy position while the Basque boys can haul themselves into contention with a win.     

 

Talking Points

What is it with Anthony Gordon?   

Howe has a number of issues to sort out at Newcastle, but one of them is the league form of England winger Anthony Gordon. The 24 year old has been superb in the Champions League but he is struggling to replicate that form back in domestic football. The former Everton man scored a goal and made an assist in the 3-0 win over Benfica, scoring the opener with a smart finish and teeing up Harvey Barnes for a late third.

Gordon became the first Newcastle player to score in three consecutive Champions League games, bagging a brace in a 4-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise and scoring the Magpies goal in a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona. Four goals and three assists is a fantastic return from three games; but the winger is yet to make a goal contribution in seven Premier League games.

He was sent off in a loss to Liverpool, and didn’t shine against the Hammers on Sunday so I have a feeling Gordon will be looking forward to another European night under the lights. With Jacob Murphy on the other flank it could be a good night too for striker Nick Woltemade who has impressed since his summer arrival and is fast become a fans favourite.              

 

Bilbao are hurting too 

While the Magpies are smarting from their failure to beat West Ham at the weekend, their opponents have yet to get into gear in their domestic league, and a 3-2 loss to Real Sociedad in the Basque Derby will still be very painful for the players and fans. Bilbao pegged back La Real twice but succumbed to an injury time winner and that made it back to back defeats, having lost 1-0 at home to Getafe the prior week.

Valverde has a strong squad at his disposal, from Spain stopper Unai Simon as the last line of defence and former Manchester City star Aymeric Laporte at centre back. And, while they have a punch up front, with Oihan Sancet at centre forward, Bilbao have missed the spark of winger Nico Williams who has been struggling with a groin injury. He came on in the second half of the Basque Derby but couldn’t inspire his team to a result and, while Williams can always be a match-winner when he is on the pitch it just isn’t happening for him at the moment.           

 

History

This will be the first meeting between Newcastle United and Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League, but they did lock horns in the UEFA Cup three decades ago. In the second round of the 1994/95 competition they played out a 3-3 draw over two legs, with the Basque team going through to the next round on away goals. 

So with little to work on in terms of head to head Newcastle vs Athletic Club results, let’s take a look at recent form. Newcastle have struggled for consistency but, with four wins and two losses, in all competitions, they have fared better than Bilbao who have won two, drawn one and lost three.

 

Betting Tip

Newcastle are the hot favourites, at SBOTOP odds of at 1.55 to win this fascinating clash, with Bilbao priced at 6.00 and the Draw at 4.20.  

The Double Chance of Athletic Bilbao and Draw, at odds of 2.50, might look like good value; but I’m going for goals; and there must be a good chance of the Magpies flying under the floodlights in Europe again.    

   

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