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Newcastle vs. Qarabag: Champions League Showdown

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, February 25th 2026 at 3:11 GMT by Sporting News
      Locales: UNITED KINGDOM, AZERBAIJAN

Newcastle, February 25th, 2026 - St James' Park is set to host a compelling Champions League Group F clash tonight as Newcastle United welcome Qarabag. While the Magpies have already secured top spot in the group, they are eager to maintain their winning momentum in front of a passionate home crowd. Qarabag, on the other hand, find themselves in a desperate battle with Borussia Dortmund for the second qualifying position, making this encounter a must-win for the Azerbaijani champions.

The match, kicking off at 8:00pm GMT, promises a fascinating contrast in motivations. Newcastle's comfortable position allows manager Eddie Howe to potentially rotate his squad, offering valuable game time to key players and fringe members alike. However, the intensity and prestige of the Champions League are likely to ensure a competitive performance regardless of personnel changes. A strong finish to the group stage will not only bolster morale but also provide a psychological advantage heading into the knockout rounds.

Qarabag, under the guidance of their manager, face a monumental task. Their journey to the Champions League group stages was already a remarkable achievement for the club. Now, they need to pull off an upset at St James' Park and hope for a favorable result in the final group game to stand a chance of progressing to the last 16. The pressure will be immense on their players, but they have already proven their resilience throughout the campaign.

Team News and Predicted Lineups

Newcastle are expected to field a strong, but potentially altered, lineup. Goalkeeper Nick Pope is a certainty between the posts, shielded by a solid back four of Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, and Dan Burn. In midfield, the dynamic duo of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali are expected to control the tempo, providing both defensive solidity and creative flair. The attacking line-up could see Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon flanking the prolific Alexander Isak, who currently leads Newcastle's Champions League scoring charts.

Newcastle Predicted Lineup: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Guimaraes, Tonali; Murphy, Gordon, Isak.

Qarabag will likely stick with a familiar formation, relying on a disciplined defensive structure and quick counter-attacks. Sahin is expected to start in goal, protected by a backline of Ramazanov, Medvedev, Huseinov, and Yunuszade. Shallar and Dadasov will be tasked with winning the midfield battle, while Richarlyson and Rangelov will provide width and attacking threat. Wayne Rooney, the team's designated striker, will be looked upon to provide a spark in front of goal.

Qarabag Predicted Lineup: Sahin; Ramazanov, Medvedev, Huseinov, Yunuszade; Shallar, Dadasov; Richarlyson, Rangelov, Rooney.

The Bookmakers' View

The odds clearly favor Newcastle, with Betway offering 1/4 on a home win. A draw is priced at 11/1, while a Qarabag victory is a distant 13/1. This reflects the significant gulf in quality and current form between the two sides. However, football is unpredictable, and Qarabag will be determined to defy the odds.

Bet Builder Potential

For those looking to place a bet, a popular bet builder combination centers around a Newcastle victory, an Alexander Isak goal, and over 2.5 goals in the match. This bet, currently paying around 4/1 with Betway, appears a reasonable risk given Newcastle's attacking prowess and Qarabag's need to take risks. Isak, in particular, has been in excellent form, and is a constant threat to opposition defenses. Given Newcastle's overall dominance, it's expected they will score multiple goals.

Beyond the Scoreline: The Bigger Picture

This match isn't just about the points on the table. For Newcastle, it's an opportunity to solidify their reputation as a European force and build momentum for a deep run in the Champions League. The fans at St James' Park will be expecting a dominant performance, and the players will be keen to deliver.

For Qarabag, the stakes are even higher. A victory would not only keep their Champions League dream alive but also send a powerful message about their ambitions on the continental stage. They've proven they can compete with the best, and tonight represents a chance to prove they belong amongst Europe's elite. While the odds are stacked against them, their fighting spirit and determination should not be underestimated. Regardless of the result, Qarabag's participation in the Champions League has been a significant achievement for Azerbaijani football, and a testament to their club's growth and ambition.