Qarabag snuck into the knockout play-offs by finishing 22nd in the league phase
Newcastle won four of their eight matches to finish 12th
Recommended bet: Newcastle to win and both teams to score
Qarabag made it through the group stage or league phase of the Champions League for the first time in their history and their reward is a play-off tie with Newcastle.
The Azerbaijani side defeated Benfica, FC Copenhagen and Eintracht Frankfurt, while drawing against Chelsea, to sneak into the play-off round.
The Magpies finished 12th in the standings, missing out on an automatic spot in the last 16 by just two points.
Wins over USG, Benfica, Athletic Club and PSV Eindhoven ensured Eddie Howe's men have a chance of setting up a last 16 clash against either Chelsea or Barcelona for a place in the quarter-finals.
The latest Qarabag vs Newcastle odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Kady Borges was sent off for the home side during the league win over Imisli FK at the weekend, but will be availble for this European game.
On the injury front, Qarabag appear to have a full strength squad to choose from ahead of this clash against Newcastle.
Magpies midfielder Bruno Guimaraes will be absent for the next few weeks due to a hamstring problem, while summer signing Yoane Wissa is expected to miss the next couple of matches.
Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar and Joelinton are also unavailable, leaving Newcastle looking light across several areas of the pitch.
The stats
This will be the first official meeting between these two sides in European competition, although Qarabag have faced English sides before.
They drew with Chelsea earlier this season, while losing to the same club twice in the group stages of this tournament during the 2017-18 season.
Indeed, across seven games, Qarabag have not won any of their games against English teams.
The club scored at least one goal in six of their eight group stage matches. Two of their victories in the competition saw both teams scoring.
For Newcastle, both teams scored in four of their eight league phase matches, with the club scoring at least one goal across every match.
The Magpies finished the group stage by conceding just seven goals, which ranked as the joint-second best defensive record.
Howe’s side also scored 17 times over their eight matches.
Qarabag, however, conceded 21 goals in the group stage, finding the back of the net on 13 occasions.
The latest Qarabag vs Newcastle odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Newcastle will feel they have an excellent chance of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time in their history.
A trip to Azerbaijan is not what the Premier League club would have wanted in terms of distance, but Howe will be quietly confident that his side can win the game.
The home side will pose questions, especially considering Newcastle's squad is stretched thin, but the visitors should have too much firepower in the end.
Back Newcastle to win and both teams to score at 9/5 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Qarabag vs Newcastle odds are available on LiveScore Bet
