Dortmund (H) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction
Three weeks on from that stunning 4-1 win over PSG, Champions League football returns to St James' Park as we take on German giants Borussia Dortmund.
Our return from the international break was an emphatic one on Saturday, as we battered a Crystal Palace side we couldn't score against in three attempts last season. It was a brilliant display, building on the momentum we'd created before the break and sending us into the Dortmund game on a high.
This feels like a six-pointer in our 'group of death' and a huge chance to take a gigantic step towards qualifying for the last 16. Win and we'll move to seven points - SIX clear of the Bundesliga side - but lose and we'll be level on four each.
We always said our home games would be key and this is no different, especially when we have away trips to Dortmund and PSG to come in our next two after Wednesday night. Historically, clubs who finish the group phase on 10 points or more nearly always qualify for the knockout stages, so a win here would put us in a brilliant position.
Some have suggested this Dortmund sides are levels below what we've seen in previous years, where Haaland, Sancho and Bellingham previously ran riot, but their form suggests otherwise. Their only loss in the last 19 games was a 2-0 defeat to PSG last month, they've won their last five league games and are unbeaten in the Bundesliga this season.
Do we need to fear them? Absolutely not. But it'll take another huge effort from everyone inside St James' Park to see off a side who've only lost once since the start of April.
Team news
Eddie Howe says Sandro Tonali is "fit and fine" to play, providing his ban is not announced before 8pm on Wednesday. Joe Willock is "getting closer" after returning to training and Alexander Isak is "back to full fitness", but Sven Botman remains out.
For the visitors, USA international Giovani Reyna (born in Sunderland!) could return in midfielder after a cameo appearance on Friday, but full-back Julian Ryerson has been rule out.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Pope - Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Burn - Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton - Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
For me, there's only two questions going into this game when it comes to the side Eddie Howe selects. Joelinton or Tonali in that third midfield spot and will Murphy keep his place - ahead of Almiron - after his man of the match display on Saturday?
It's difficult to know if Joelinton will be OK to start two games in five days after recently returning from a hamstring injury and impossible to predict whether Tonali's imminent ban will be confirmed before kick-off. Either way, I think we'll go with Joelinton's physicality; something we missed in our opening group game away to AC Milan.
In attack, I can see Almiron getting the nod after he was given a rare rest on Saturday. There'll be a temptation to go with Murphy after his goal and two assists against Palace, but Almiron was electric in our 4-1 win over PSG and has been back amongst the goals in recent weeks.
Up top, Isak is fully fit and will be raring to go. Wilson played the majority of Saturday's game, so it makes sense for the Swede to lead the line in this one.
Predicted Borussia Dortmund XI: Kobel - Wolf, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini - Can, Nmecha - Malen, Reus, Brandt - Fullkrug.
Ones to watch: Julian Brandt - The German international has already notched four goals and five assists this season, scoring the winner in their 1-0 victory over Werder Bremen on Friday night. Along with the experienced Marco Reus, he's one of their big dangermen.
Prediction
Dortmund must not be underestimated and arrive in goo form, but you know Eddie Howe and the players won't be taking them lightly.
Isak to score against his former club and Gordon to run riot once again in what promises to be another eletric atmosphere at St James' Park, where we await what Wor Flags have in store for us this time around.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Borussia Dortmund
HWTL!!
