David Beckham drops "surprise" Newcastle United prediction
Newcastle's European adventure doesn't start until Thursday night, but today is the day the 2025/26 Champions League campaign kicks off for many clubs competing for Europe's top prize.
With that in mind, CBS Sports pundits Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards have released their predictions heading into the tournament, naming their winner, top scorer and 'surprise' package alongside guest David Beckham.
After Richards and Carragher backed Thursday's opponents Barcelona to win it, with Alexander Isak and Kylian Mbappe their top scorer picks, Beckham came in with a different viewpoint involving Newcastle United.
The former England, Real Madrid and Man Utd star believes Eddie Howe's Mags might just be this year's ones to watch, backing us to surprise a few people who've been writing us off over the past few weeks and months.
Beckham hailed our team, talent and togetherness, as a squad and club, tipping us to do well as we head towards a tough set of league phase fixtures against the likes of Barcelona, PSG and Bayer Leverkusen.
Speaking on CBS Sports last night, he said:
“I think people are already writing Newcastle United off (in the Champions League).”“Newcastle are a good team, they have some good players.
"Very together as a team, as fans and as a club.
"They could surprise a few people.”
It’s that time again 🔮@Carra23, @MicahRichards and David Beckham share their 2025/26 #UCL predictions 👀 pic.twitter.com/dUYjN3psgq
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 15, 2025
Newcastle's UCL schedule
A busy few months await for Newcastle, who must manage league, cup and European football much better than we did two seasons ago if we wish to have a strong and successful 2025/26.
First up is Barcelona in 48 hours time, then we face a trip to Belgian side Union SG, followed by home ties with Portuguese giants Benfica and Spanish side Athletic Bilbao at the half way stage of the league phase:
- 18/09/25 – Barcelona (H)
- 01/10/25 – Union Saint-Gilloise (A)
- 21/10/25 – Benfica (H)
- 05/11/25 – Athletic Bilbao (H)
- 25/11/25 – Marseille (A)
- 10/12/25 – Bayer Leverkusen (A)
- 21/01/26 – PSV Eindhoven (H)
- 28/01/26 – PSG (A)
