5 of the 8 Newcastle United Champions League opponents have already played – What we learnt | OneFootball

On Thursday 28 August 2025, Newcastle United discovered who their eight Champions League opponents would be.

Eddie Howe’s side to face two teams drawn from each of the four pots.

The times and dates of all eight league matches then announced by UEFA on the Saturday (30 August) morning.

Newcastle United facing four Champions League opponents in the league stage, as well as a different four clubs away.

These are those eight NUFC Champions League fixtures:

Thursday 18th September: Newcastle United vs FC Barcelona (kick-off 8pm BST)

Wednesday 1st October: Union SG vs Newcastle United (kick-off 5:45pm BST)

Tuesday 21st October: Newcastle United vs Benfica (kick-off 8pm BST)

Wednesday 5th November: Newcastle United vs Athletic Club (kick-off 8pm BST)

Tuesday 25th November: Olympique Marseille vs Newcastle United (kick-off 8pm BST)

Wednesday 10th December: Bayer Leverkusen vs Newcastle United (kick-off 8pm BST)

Wednesday 21st January: Newcastle United vs PSV Eindhoven (kick-off 8pm BST

Wednesday 28th January: Paris Saint-Germain vs Newcastle United (kick-off 8pm BST)

Ahead of Newcastle v Barcelona on Thursday night, we have already seen five of United’s Champions League opponents in action yesterday (Tuesday 16 September 2025).

This is what we (I!) learnt.

I am going to quote the key stats from each match (as per BBC Sport) for each of the matches as a big part of indicating how they actually performed, not just the final scoreline.

Benfica

Benfica 2 Qarabag 3

A shock result, especially after Benfica led 2-0 after 16 minutes, but was it a fluke that Newcastle United upcoming opponents lost against their unfancied Azerbaijan opponents?

Key match stats

The Benfica stat is shown first each time – Possession 53% v 47%, Expected Goals 1.19 v 1.55, Shots 14 v 10, Shots on Target 3 v 5, Touches in opposition box 28 v 24, Corners 8 v 3

Conclusions?

This looks no fluke and Qarabag went to Lisbon and at least matched them, deserving their victory as the away side.

Certainly no reason to think that Newcastle won’t be capable of winning at home against Benfica on 21 October.

Benfica in crisis, as they sacked manager Bruno Lage straight after the defeat. Rumours claiming Jose Mourinho will be back as Benfica manager in time to face Newcastle.

PSV and Union Saint-Gilloise

PSV 1 Union Saint-Gilloise 3

Another shock result. The team from Belgium with a surprise 2-0 lead by half-time and making it 3-0 after the break, PSV only able to get a 90th minute consolation goal.

Key match stats

The PSV stat is shown first each time – Possession 63% v 37%, Expected Goals 2.45 v 3.25, Shots 10 v 18, Shots on Target 3 v 8, Touches in opposition box 13 v 31, Corners 7 v 7

Conclusions?

Clearly a case of Union SG fully deserving this win. PSV may have had the possession but it was the away side who dominated pretty much every other key statistic.

Two weeks today (Wednesday 1 October) United face Union SG away from home and based on last night’s match, Eddie Howe’s side with a tougher task than maybe expected.

It isn’t until Wednesday 21 January next year when PSV visit St James’ Park. Purely on the basis of last night’s game, this looks a decent fixture to look forward to where NUFC should have every chance of getting what could be a big three points in their final home game of the league phase.

Marseille

Real Madrid 2 Marseille 1

Marseille springing a major surprise when taking a 22nd minute lead, only for two Mbappe penalties to see Real Madrid scrape a home win. Mbappe’s second penalty coming in the 81st minute after Real Madrid had been reduced to ten men, Dani Carvajal sent off on 72 minutes. He had replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold very early on when the former Liverpool player appeared to pull a hamstring.

Key match stats

The Marseille stat is shown first each time – Possession 57% v 43%, Expected Goals 0.73 v 3.65, Shots 15 v 28, Shots on Target 5 v 15, Touches in opposition box 27 v 51, Corners 4 v 9

Conclusions?

Marseille having a bit of a go but the stats strongly suggest they were very lucky to only lose by one goal. real Madrid with 15 shots on target but only the two penalties beating the keeper.

On Tuesday 25 November we see Newcastle travel to Marseille. I don’t think anybody thought this would be an easy away game but certainly nothing last night suggests this will be impossible for United to come away with a positive result.

Athletic Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao 0 Arsenal 2

The atmosphere was good but the football and entertainment less so.

Athletic Bilbao had shaded it for the opening 70 minutes or so and Arsenal creating next to no chances, then the financial power and squad strength showing through, as subs Martinelli and Trossard scored in the final twenty minutes for a fortunate Arteta win that had looked a goalless draw for so long.

Key match stats

The Athletic Bilbao stat is shown first each time – Possession 38% v 62%, Expected Goals 0.41 v 1.10, Shots 11 v 11, Shots on Target 2 v 6, Touches in opposition box 22 v 24, Corners 2 v 2

Conclusions?

On Wednesday 5 November Newcastle host Athletic Bilbao, just over 31 years later from a 3-2 home win in 1994 under Kevin Keegan.

I don’t think anything last need makes me think Newcastle aren’t capable of winning this one. However, I think that all eight Champions League matches, Eddie Howe’s team will need to be on their game, no easy points.

As for United’s other two Champion League opponents (as well as Barcelona)…

PSG are at home to Atalanta tonight (Newcastle travel to play in Paris on 28 January 2026 in their final league match).