Newcastle have won four straight home games in all competitions, including two by 2-0 scorelines
Athletic Bilbao are winless in their last five away matches, failing to score in three
Recommended Bet: Newcastle to win 2-0
Newcastle and Athletic Bilbao lock horns in the Champions League on Wednesday night with both sides aiming to bounce back from domestic defeats at the weekend.
The Magpies were humbled 3-1 by struggling West Ham on Sunday with Eddie Howe describing his team as ‘unrecognisable’ while admitting he could have substituted any of the starting XI.
But their European form has been impressive, with back-to-back wins over Union SG and Benfica lifting them into the top eight of the League Phase standings.
Bilbao, meanwhile, suffered a painful 3-2 derby defeat to Real Sociedad on Saturday and have now won just two of their last 11 matches in all competitions.
The latest Newcastle vs Athletic Bilbao odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Newcastle could welcome back Kieran Trippier after illness ruled him out of the West Ham defeat, but Yoane Wissa and Tino Livramento remain sidelined by knee injuries.
Lewis Hall returned to the squad at the London Stadium and could make a cameo appearance after overcoming a thigh problem.
Nick Woltemade is expected to lead the line again after scoring in five of his last eight appearances for the club, but the two wide positions look up for grabs after Anthony Gordon was replaced on Sunday amid concerns over a lingering hip injury.
Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga are the contenders to feature on the left with Jacob Murphy in pole position to start on the right again.
Meanwhile, Bilbao are without forward Inaki Williams (groin), midfielder Oihan Sancet (hamstring) and defender Yuri Berchiche (calf).
Winger Nico Williams and defender Inigo Lekue had their fitness assessed at training and look set to feature.
Defender Unai Eguiluz, midfielder Benat Prados and forward Maroan Sannadi remain in the recovery phase after injury problems.
Gorka Guruzeta, who scored against Real Sociedad, will spearhead the attack, supported by Robert Navarro and Alex Berenguer.
The latest Newcastle vs Athletic Bilbao odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Newcastle have won 22 and drawn seven of their last 33 European home matches.
Athletic Bilbao have lost four of their last five away games.
The Magpies have scored nine goals and conceded just one in their last four home outings.
Bilbao have won only one of their last nine away matches against English clubs.
Prediction
Newcastle’s home form and wealth of options in the wide areas make them strong favourites to see off an Athletic side short on confidence and missing key players.
The Magpies have tightened up defensively in Europe and are sharing goals across the front line, with Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton providing control in midfield.
Howe’s side have the fifth-best expected goals against figure in the Champions League and, on the back of two clean sheets against Union SG and Benfica, they can shut out their Basque visitors.
Ernesto Valverde’s side have a combined xG of only 4.7 through three Champions League games, 3.4 of which came in their 3-1 home win over Euro minnows Qarabag.
Bilbao’s travel sickness and lack of cutting edge suggest they may struggle to contain a Newcastle side eager to respond to their weekend setback and Howe’s stinging criticism.
Back Newcastle to win 2-0 at 27/5 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Newcastle vs Athletic Bilbao odds are available on LiveScore Bet
