Bayer Leverkusen have seen 22 goals across their seven home matches in the Bundesliga this season (3.14 per game). They’ve won four of these games, and can cause Newcastle real issues with their scoring power, having scored 16 of these goals - only Leipzig (18) and Bayern Munich (29) have scored more goals at home than Leverkusen in the Bundesliga this term.

Newcastle have seen 3+ goals in four of their five Champions League matches this season, including their most recent game as they lost 2-1 to Marseille, in a game which produced a combined xG of 3.46. Newcastle have had issues at the back of late, Eddie Howe’s side haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last six games across all competitions.

This should offer Leverkusen opportunities to find the back of the net here and tempt Newcastle out. The Magpies have netted 11 goals across their last five matches in all competitions, so they have the scoring power to cause Leverkusen problems, too.

Mark Flekken was one of the busiest goalkeepers in the Premier League last season, averaging 4.20 saves per 90 for Brentford, while boasting a save percentage of 73.6% - the joint best in the Premier League.

He’s continued to be a reliable shot stopper since making the move from Brentford to Leverkusen, he’s been called into action 40 times across his 13 appearances in the Bundesliga this season (3.08 per 90).

His save numbers in the Champions League are even more promising, with 20 stops across his five appearances in the competition (4.0 per game). His save percentage has dropped slightly this term (66.7%), but his save numbers confirm that he’s still an excellent shot stopper.

Newcastle drew seven saves from Rulli the Marseille net in their 2-1 defeat to Roberto De Zerbi’s side in their most recent Champions League assignment. They’ll push for similar numbers here with Eddie Howe’s side still in with a real chance of finishing in the top eight.

Gordon has saved his best performances for the Champions League so far this season, with four goals across his five appearances in the competition - double the tally he’s managed in the Premier League, despite playing half the number of games.

Gordon has had 11 shots in the Champions League this term (2.62 per 90), with four of these attempts finding the target (1.19 per 90). He also comes into this clash having netted in his last two matches against Tottenham and Burnley, so he carries plenty of confidence into this important game for Newcastle.

Gordon had three shots against Marseille in Newcastle’s 2-1 defeat to Roberto De Zerbi’s side in the Champions League last time out. One of these efforts found the target, with Gordon leading the line on that occasion. Eddie Howe may go for a similar approach here, as Newcastle could use a transitional threat in this away clash.

Ibrahim Maza will line up as one of three central midfielders for Leverkusen here, which should result in a very direct and aggressive battle with Newcastle’s industrious midfield trio.

Maza has committed five fouls across his 274 minutes of action in the Champions League this season (1.64 per 90). This is likely to be the toughest assignment he’s faced all season, with his direct opponent being Bruno Guimaraes.

Guimaraes is one of the most consistently fouled players in Europe, and has won 33 fouls across his 14 appearances in the Premier League this term (2.46 per 90) - comfortably the most of any Newcastle player this season.

Guimaraes has also won nine fouls across his five appearances in the Champions League this season (1.99 per 90), highlighting just how strong of an aspect it is to his game. He should be able to draw a few fouls from Leverkusen’s midfield, with Maza standing out as a strong candidate to bring him down at least once.

Harvey Barnes was rested for Newcastle’s 2-1 win over Burnley at the weekend with Eddie Howe likely having this game in mind as a crucial one if Newcastle want to progress as one of the top eight sides in the league phase of the Champions League.

Barnes has been an effective asset for Newcastle in the Champions League so far this season, with five goal contributions across five starts (4 goals, 1 assist). He scored in Newcastle’s 2-1 defeat to Marseille last time out, and has struck three goals across just 44 minutes of action against USG and Benfica.

Barnes has registered nine goal contributions across his 21 appearances in all competitions this term, with the majority of these coming in the Champions League. He can offer Newcastle a real outlet here, with Howe likely to set up his side to play in transition, against a Leverkusen side that commit a lot of bodies forward and take plenty of risks at home.

I keep coming back to this angle as Thiaw is such a threat from set pieces. His shot numbers are promising and we’ll look through those shortly, but what really stands out to me about Thiaw is how many aerial duels he wins.

Thiaw has won 42 aerial duels across his 12 appearances in the Premier League this season (3.81 per 90) with an aerial duel won percentage of 73.7% - placing Thiaw in the 91st percentile when it comes to winning aerial duels, when compared to other centre backs in the Premier League.

He’s got an even stronger record in the Champions League (78.9%), which suggests that he can be a threat for Newcastle from corners and other set pieces here. Thiaw has scored two goals for Newcastle since joining the club, and has had 10 shots across his 12 appearances (0.91 per 90).

Grimaldo is one of the best weapons that Leverkusen have in the final third. The wingback leads the squad for goals and assists in the Bundesliga this term (4 goals, 4 assists) and scored against Man City in Levekusen’s most recent Champions League outing.

Grimaldo has provided a further three goal contributions in the Champions League, managing nine shots across his five appearances (1.80 per 90), with three of these attempts finding the target (0.60 per 90). His record in the Bundesliga is even more impressive, with 20 shots across his 11 appearances (1.94 per 90), and seven of these finding the target (0.68 per 90).

Another angle which may be worth exploring is for Grimaldo to have a few efforts from distance, or have a shot on target from outside of the box. He’s on free kicks for Leverkusen and has seen 16 of his 20 efforts come from outside of the box in the Bundesliga this season (80%).