Newcastle United return to Champions League action on Wednesday evening when they face Qarabag in the first leg of their play-off tie in Baku.
Eddie Howe’s side delivered several impressive performances during the league phase, but it wasn’t enough to secure a top-eight finish and automatic qualification for the round of 16, with the Magpies ultimately finishing 12th.
As a result, Newcastle now face a two-legged tie with Qarabag, beginning with the first leg in the Azerbaijani capital this midweek.
On the domestic front, Newcastle appear to have emerged from a sticky spell, having secured a 2-1 win away at Tottenham last week before following it up with a 3-1 victory at Villa Park in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Qarabag, meanwhile, were one of the surprise packages of the league phase, claiming a top-24 finish with a total of 10 points.
Gurban Gurbanov’s side currently sit second in the Azerbaijani Premier League, just one point behind league leaders Sabah.
How the bookies view it: Toon Army to triumph
Newcastle head into Wednesday evening's first leg as heavy 2/5 favourites with bet365.
Qarabag are as big as 7/1 on Betfred to draw first blood on Wednesday evening, while the draw is also considered unlikely at 18/5 with the same firm.
Head to head: History book blank
Qarabag and Newcastle will face each other for the first time ever on the European stage on Wednesday evening. The Azerbaijani side did cross paths with Premier League opposition twice during the league phase, notably holding Chelsea to an impressive 2-2 draw at home, although they were heavily beaten 6-0 away at Liverpool on matchday 8.
Players to watch: Another Gordon goal involvement?
Having racked up an impressive return of six goals and two assists across his eight appearances during the league phase, Anthony Gordon stands out in the To Score or Assist market at 4/5 on bet365.
Camilo Duran was one of Qarabag's standout performers during the league phase, scoring four times across his eight appearances. The Colombian striker looks good value for an anytime strike here at 11/2 on bet365.
Predicted line-ups
Qarabag enter Wednesday evening’s first leg with their chances enhanced by the likelihood of a fully fit squad.
Newcastle, on the other hand, have been dealt a major injury blow, with key midfielder Bruno Guimaraes set to be sidelined for a couple of months due to a muscle injury. The Brazilian will join fellow long-term absentees Emil Krafth, Fabian Schar and Tino Livramento in the Magpies’ medical room. On a brighter note, both Joelinton and Lewis Miley are edging closer to a return, although this fixture may come too soon for either player to feature.
Qarabag: Kochalski; Silva, Mustafazada, Medina, Cafarquliyev; Jankovic, Bicalho; Andrade, Montiel, Zoubir; Duran
Newcastle: Pope; Trippier, Botman, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Ramsey, Tonali; Elanga, Gordon, Barnes
Anything else catch the eye?
Given how goal-heavy Qarabag’s Champions League matches have been this season, backing both teams to score at 10/11 on bet365 looks particularly appealing.
This selection would have landed in three of the hosts’ four home games during the league phase, and the same is true of three of Newcastle’s four away matches.
Elsewhere, Newcastle look worth backing to register over 5.5 corners at 5/6 with Bet365.
No team in the Premier League has averaged more than the Magpies’ 6.85 corners per game this season, while Qarabag conceded a hefty average of 7.25 flag kicks per 90 during the league phase.
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