It’s a massive week for Newcastle United, who start in Belgium ahead of two big games in Europe and the Premier League following a bruising 2-1 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
The late collapse over the weekend was a crushing blow, turning what could’ve been a steady start to 2025/26 into a poor one, and adding some pressure to this week’s double header.
Awaiting us in Brussels after defeat to Barcelona in our opener are Union SG, and they are no mugs. The Champions League new boys won 3-1 at PSV in their league phase opener, they’ve won eight of their last 10 and are top of the Belgian League once again after winning it last season.
Newcastle have a defence that’s not conceded once on the road this season and bags of quality in midfield, but our attack must start to click and create for Nick Woltemade, with our wide men struggling to score this season.
Tino Livramento (knee) will be absent, although we don’t yet know the extent of his injury after he was stretchered off on Sundau, with Newcastle set to find out more in the coming days.
Fabian Schar is back in the squad after seeing out a 12-day concussion protocol and Lewis Hall is expected to return, but Yoane Wissa (knee) and Jacob Ramsey (ankle) remain out.
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Burn, Hall – Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton – Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon.
OUT: Botman, Thiaw, Livramento and Murphy IN: Schar, Trippier, Hall and Elanga.
Union SG will be no pushovers, despite being our “easiest” game on paper in this eight-game league phase.
A return to a back four feels required if Hall is fit to start, with our wide men needing to step, not only to support Woltemade but take that goalscoring burden off the big German.
A draw would not surprise me after three straight stalemates on the road so far. However, I’ve got a sneaky feeling we’ll edge it in a tight but precious 2-1 win.
Prediction: Union SG 1-2 Newcastle
Howay the lads!