Eddie Howe didn’t get the result he wanted at the weekend, and that broke a three-game winning streak for Newcastle, but there has been a real dichotomy in form at home compared to away. In fact, the Magpies have won six of their nine games at St James’ Park in all competitions this season, only losing tough games against Arsenal, Barcelona and Liverpool.

Athletic Club are not quite in that category of elite opponents, and the Spanish side have really struggled on their travels this term. In fact, they have lost four of their last five away games, with the one draw being a 0-0 stalemate against newly-promoted Elche. Meanwhile, their losses have come against Real Sociedad, Dortmund, Villarreal and Valencia. 

Those two trends marry up nicely to back Newcastle to get back to winning ways, as they look to make it five straight home wins in succession.

Goals have been aplenty at St James’ Park so far, with over 1.5 goals landing in eight out of nine in total. The only game it failed to land was a 1-0 win over Wolves, but Newcastle had plenty of chances to double their advantage, and Sam Johnstone was forced into three saves.

The Magpies have hit this mark alone in each of their last four home outings, as they have got on the scoresheet in every single home match in all competitions this term - even against those top sides previously mentioned. 

Meanwhile, Los Leones are yet to keep a clean sheet in the Champions League, where they have already conceded seven goals after just three games. They were beaten 4-1 by Borussia Dortmund on their last European away day. Athletic Club haven’t been so strong at the back, which doesn’t bode well for them here.

Gorka Guruzeta has established himself as the number one choice to start upfront for Athletic Club this season, with four goals under his belt. With Maroan Sannadi and Inaki Williams nursing injuries, Guruzeta’s importance has only increased in recent weeks, but he has responded to that pressure well, with three goals in his last three games in all competitions.

The 29-year-old is more of a traditional striker, who likes to hold up the ball and utilise his physicality. Guruzeta is adept at drawing contact and is averaging 2.04 fouls drawn per 90 this campaign in all competitions. In fact, he has landed this selection in eight out of nine matches in total when playing at least 45 minutes. He draws a solid matchup against Newcastle midweek, who are averaging 11.9 fouls per game when playing at home this season.

Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta has partnered Mikel Jaurezigar in the midfield double pivot for most of Athletic Club’s matches this season, and could be set to start at St James’ Park. The 32-year-old racked up three fouls against Real Sociedad at the weekend before being substituted after 68 minutes. In fact, the Spaniard has accrued a total of 11 fouls in his last four starts alone, as he doesn’t tend to shy away from a duel - he has been shown a card in three of those games. 

Galarreta is averaging 2.22 fouls per 90 this season in all competitions, and that number is only set to rise as he faces a Newcastle side who are drawing on average 12.9 fouls per game at home. A lot of those infringements are concentrated in midfield too, as Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali have a combined average of 5.48 fouls won per 90 at home this term.

Bruno Guimaraes had five goals and eight assists to his name after 47 appearances in all competitions last season, which is an impressive return for a midfielder. Prior to that, he racked up seven goals and 10 assists in the 23/24 campaign, which is his most successful season to date in Newcastle colours, based on goal involvements. 

However, he is well on track to beat those numbers this season, as he already has three goals and three assists to his name after 14 appearances, averaging one goal involvement around every two games. He has seen a lot more attacking involvement on home turf, too. Five of his goal involvements this season have come on home turf, as did nine of his 13 in the previous campaign. Based on that, this price looks too big, especially against an Athletic Club team who have struggled at the back in recent weeks.

Dani Vivian has not quite had the best Champions League experience this season - he played the full 90 as Los Leones lost 2-0 against Arsenal on matchday one, before being replaced at half time against Borussia Dortmund in the following European game. He was left as an unused substitute against Qarabag last time out in Europe, a game which Athletic Club won, but the 26-year-old will hope to partner Aymeric Laporte at the back and reclaim his starting position. 

Vivian has featured consistently this season and is averaging 1.52 fouls per 90 from his 12 starts in all competitions. He has also picked up three yellow cards in that time, while also receiving a straight red card against Valencia earlier in the campaign. He is tasked with being incredibly aggressive in his duels at the back, but that sometimes means Vivian is caught out of position and forced to make cynical fouls.

Newcastle registered a total of 10 fouls against West Ham at the London Stadium at the weekend, and Dan Burn accounted for two of those infringements. The big man was incredibly fortunate to escape a booking, as he looked a bit uncomfortable at times. 

That has been a trend over the last few weeks - with Tino Livramento ruled out, Dan Burn has been shifted into a full back role, where he has seen an uptick in duels and been a lot more exposed. Lewis Hall was named on the bench against West Ham, but his last start came over a month ago, so Burn should again be preferred to start at left back. 

That will put him against Alex Berenguer, who is averaging 2.54 fouls drawn per 90 in all competitions this term. In fact, the Spaniard has been fouled twice in nine of his 11 appearances this term.