Ahead of Newcastle United’s UCL game against Borrusia Dortmund on Wednesday, Eddie Howe has admitted it is a “pivotal game in the group. “
The Magpies sit top of Group F with four points having drawn goalless against AC Milan in their first game and thrashing PSG 4-1 in the previous round.
They will be seeking to secure back-to-back victories in the competition when they host the Bundesliga outfit, who sit bottom of the log with one point.
“It’s another real top test,” Eddie Howe said. This group was always going to be that way, going from AC Milan to PSG to Dortmund. It’s great to be involved in but as we said at the start of the group, we knew this would be be a really tough examination for us, this is a key period in it now.
“We’ve made a good start but we can’t get ahead of ourselves. We have to focus on what’s ahead of us and this is a pivotal game in the group.”
With a victory, the Magpies can move five points clear of Dortmund who are one of the three teams still unbeaten in the German top-flight.
Heading into this game, Newcastle are unbeaten in their last eight games in all competitions and will seek to extend that more on Wednesday.
Team News
Alexander Isak is expected to lead the line for the Magpies after having returned from injury over the weekend.
But Sven Botman, Harvey Barnes and Joe Willock are sidelined.
For Dortmund, they will be without Mateu Morey, Youssoufa Moukoko and Julian Duranville, who have all not made the trip to Tyneside due to injuries.
Match Facts
Newcastle are unbeaten in their last eight matches, winning six times, and they have been especially good at St James’ Park.
The Toons have won six of their seven home games this season, with only Liverpool managing to leave Tyneside with anything to show for their efforts. The Reds came from behind to win 2-1 in the Premier League in August.
The hosts have found goals easy to come by of late, netting 20 times since a goalless draw against AC Milan on Match Day one of the Champions League.
Dortmund are no strangers to entertaining affairs, with their eight Bundesliga outings this term generating 25 goals.
BVB are unbeaten in the league this season, but have taken just one point from their opening two Champions League games, losing 2-0 at PSG and drawing 0-0 at home to Milan.
Probable Line-ups
Newcastle: Pope; Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Gordon
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel; Wolf, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Can, Ozcan; Brandt, Reus, Malen; Fullkrug
