Royale Union SG certainly weren’t much fancied to make inroads in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) before the league phase began, but they head into this contest with three points more than opponents Newcastle after matchday one.
Match News and Current Form
The Belgian side produced arguably one of the results of the opening round when they went away to PSV and returned across the Dutch border with a 3-1 victory. That victory continued a fine start to the season for Royale Union who have now won five in succession following their 2-0 victory against Westerlo at the weekend, a result which cemented their position atop the Jupiler Pro League. Translating their league form (W7, D2) into Europe on a consistent basis remains the ultimate goal for the defending Belgian champions, who are nonetheless unbeaten in seven home group/league phase games in UEFA competitions (W4, D3), despite having to play their ‘home’ European games at a different venue, with this game taking place at Anderlecht’s Lotto Park.
Newcastle may be winless heading into matchday two of the league phase, but there was certainly no disgrace in their 2-1 reversal against Barcelona in the opening UCL round. Since that defeat, Newcastle’s only win came against third-tier Bradford City in cup action (D1, L1), and after conceding in stoppage time to lose 2-1 against Arsenal at the weekend, they travel to Belgium on a huge downer. Returning to the UCL won’t necessarily help stimulate a response given Newcastle have won none of their last five games in the competition (D1, L4), while things are equally as bleak across their last 11 European away games (W1, D6, L4).
Head-to-Head History
These sides have never met before, but Newcastle have won eight of their last nine European matches against Belgian opposition (D1). English sides have also won nine of their previous 11 away games against Belgian opponents in the UCL (D1, L1).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Royale Union have kept just one clean sheet in the last 11 European games they hosted.
Royale Union haven’t conceded before half-time in their last nine matches.
Newcastle have kept just one clean sheet in their 12 historical UCL away games.
Newcastle’s three away games this season all ended 0-0.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Promise David has scored in three successive games for Royale Union, each time opening the scoring. Newcastle’s Joelinton has a tendency to get on the wrong side of the referee in Europe, picking up a yellow card in his last three UCL appearances.
Royale Union have no new injury concerns, while Newcastle lost Valentino Livramento to injury against Arsenal, joining Yoane Wissa in the treatment room.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Given the tendency of both sides to concede goals in Europe, backing both teams to score here is the obvious pick.
Author: Chris Wilson