The most intriguing tie of the Champions League Round of 16 reaches its conclusion on Wednesday night as FC Barcelona welcome Newcastle United to the Spotify Camp Nou with a quarter-final place on the line.
The first leg at St James' Park ended 1-1 in controversial fashion — Harvey Barnes looked to have secured a famous Newcastle victory in the 86th minute before Lamine Yamal stepped up to convert a penalty in the sixth minute of stoppage time, awarded after substitute Dani Olmo was brought down by Malick Thiaw. The Magpies were understandably frustrated, but Barcelona will feel the draw was a fair reflection over the course of the tie.
Now the action moves to Catalonia, and history is firmly on Barcelona's side. The Blaugrana have never lost at home to English opposition in 14 Champions League games, winning nine and drawing five. Their last home defeat to an English side came in 2007, a 2-1 loss to Liverpool.
Barcelona arrive into this match in the form of their lives. Sunday's stunning 5-2 demolition of Sevilla — with Raphinha scoring a hat-trick — restored their four-point lead at the top of La Liga. Hansi Flick's side have scored in each of their last 16 home Champions League games, averaging 3.1 goals per match in that run.
Newcastle, meanwhile, come in on the back of a confidence-boosting 1-0 win at Chelsea on Saturday. Eddie Howe's side are unbeaten in their last six Champions League games, their longest ever such run. Barcelona are heavy favourites, but Newcastle have shown throughout this campaign they are not here to make up the numbers.
