Newcastle have only lost three games this season, with these defeats coming against Barcelona, Arsenal, and Liverpool. You can forgive Eddie Howe’s side for struggling in those games as they are against the best sides in Europe, and Newcastle only lost those games by one-goal margins.

This tells us that while Newcastle are far from their best at the moment, they are a hard team to beat. They’ve kept four clean sheets this season across all competitions, and USG will find it tough to break them down and dominate the game with the aggression and physicality of this Newcastle side.

It’s interesting that all three of Newcastle’s defeats so far this season have come at St James’ Park. They’ve avoided defeat on the road against Bournemouth, Leeds, and Aston Villa - drawing all three of these games 0-0.

Newcastle have regularly used corners as a path to goal under Eddie Howe, and they have taken on extra importance this season with the Magpies struggling to create and convert chances from open play.

Only Chelsea (38), Tottenham (41), and Arsenal (45) have had more corners than Newcastle (37) in the Premier League so far this season. This works out at 6.16 corners per game, so we are looking for Newcastle to come in slightly under their average for the season in this game.

Newcastle’s physicality will be their main strength in European matches. Many sides in the Champions League won’t be used to the speed and intensity of Newcastle’s style of play, especially a side like USG, who are usually so dominant domestically.

Nick Pope was in fine form on Sunday as he did his best to keep Arsenal out with five saves against the Gunners. Arsenal’s eventual comeback wasn’t really his fault, with Arteta’s side scoring with two headers following set-piece situations, no surprises there.

Pope has kept Aaron Ramsdale out of the side up until this point and has put in some decent displays. I’m still not sure he is entirely comfortable with the ball at his feet, but as a shot stopper, he is usually reliable.

Pope has been forced into making 15 saves across his six Premier League matches this season (2.50 per game), maintaining a 75% save accuracy across these matches.

This has resulted in four clean sheets for Pope, who will need to be at attention here in Newcastle’s first European away game in the Champions League. USG will carry an attacking threat here; they had eight shots on target against PSV on Matchday 1, testing the keeper on four occasions.

Newcastle are a different team when Anthony Gordon plays. The Magpies really missed him in his spell on the sidelines following his sending off against Liverpool in the early weeks of the season.

He scored Newcastle’s consolation goal against Barcelona on Matchday 1 of the league phase, and I think he’ll be crucial again here.

Gordon has been quite shot happy so far this season with 11 attempts across his three appearances in the Premier League (4.90 per 90), with four of these attempts finding the target (1.78 per 90).

This rise is directly linked to Newcastle no longer having Alexander Isak, which leaves a gap in the side when it comes to goals.

Woltemade can half plug this gap, but it would be quite an ask to expect the young German striker to pitch in with the tally of goals Isak managed last season, leading to a rise in Gordon’s shot and foul numbers this term.

Woltemade has made a bright start to his career at Newcastle with two goals across his five Premier League appearances so far, coming against Arsenal and Wolves at St James’ Park.

These goals were both headers which shouldn’t be a massive surprise, Woltemade stands at 6’6 and tends to dominate in the air as a result. He’s a real asset for Newcastle who look to get the ball in the box as often as possible and now have a target man to aim for.

Woltemade didn’t start Newcastle’s opening game of the league phase against Barcelona but I think Eddie Howe will feel more inclined to throw him into the starting eleven here against weaker opposition.

Woltemade is one of the most unique players in Europe and has excellent close control and dribbling ability to match his imposing stature. Both of these traits make Newcastle a better side and should allow them to carry slightly more of a goal threat than they have been in their away games so far this term.

Thiaw had two shots on his first Premier League start for Newcastle against with this selection linking to the corner angle we’ve opted for in the bet builder.

I was pretty impressed with Thiaw for the majority of the game, I thought Newcastle’s backline as a whole switched off for the two late Arsenal goals but for 80+ minutes, Thiaw and Burn managed Gyokeres expertly and both acted as a real threat from set pieces.

Newcastle are averaging just over 6.0 corners per game in the Premier League this season - a record which ranks them within the top five sides in the division when it comes to corners. Thiaw’s shot record should benefit from Newcastle having this many opportunities to lump the ball into the box.

Thiaw was a shot threat in the Champions League for AC Milan last season as he had five shots across his five appearances in the competition (1.34 per 90). The most goals he’s ever scored in a campaign is two but that is a record that could be shattered this season if he continues to act as a shot threat from set pieces and corners in particular.

Promise David is on a sensational run of form which has seen him score in each of the last three matches, including USG’s opening Champions League game of the season against PSV. He had three shots in that game and scored his goal from the penalty spot.

David has had 18 shots across his seven appearances in the Belgian First Divison this season. Only four of these have been starts, taking his average to 4.86 shots per 90 and 1.89 shots on target per 90. USG will look to take the game to Newcastle here seeing as they managed eight shots on target in their opening game of the league phase against PSV.

David scored 19 goals in the Belgian First Division last season and what is particularly impressive about his underlying shot numbers from last campaign is that 58% of his total shots found the target (65-38). This would suggest that David usually is able to get an effort on target if he can get a shot away.