Qarabag vs Newcastle United preview, team news and prediction

Newcastle United are about to take on one of the longest journeys in Champions League football when they make the 2,529-mile journey to Azerbaijan to face Qarabag FK.

Newcastle United are about to take on one of the longest journeys in Champions League football when they head to Qarabag FK.

The Magpies are traveling 2,529 miles to Azerbaijan for the crucial knockout-round playoff game on Wednesday night.

Both teams are desperate for a spot in the last-16 stage of the tournament, having failed to finish in the top eight of the league phase.

Kicking off at 8pm GMT on TNT Sports 1, the game will take place at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium in the capital, Baku. Newcastle fans can be heartened that their team goes into the fixture as strong favourites and in a decent run of form.

Eddie Howe’s side impressed on Saturday when they beat Aston Villa in the FA Cup at the weekend. Sandro Tonali’s two goals and Nick Woltemade’s clincher booked Newcastle’s fifth-round place.

Qarabag FK are not in bad form themselves, having won their last two league games and currently sitting one point off the top of the Azerbaijan Premier League.

A midweek fixture after such a long journey, in a stadium home fans will strive to turn into a fortress, could prove a challenging prospect for Newcastle, who finished 12th in the Champions League qualifying round, to Qarabag FK’s 24th place.

A place in the next stage of the Champions League will only be confirmed when the sides meet again at St James’ Park on Tuesday, 24 February.

Qarabag vs Newcastle United Team News

Since his impressive display at the weekend, Newcastle midfielder Tonali has broken his silence following the closure of the transfer window, pledging his loyalty to both the club and manager Howe. There had been claims that the midfielder had fallen out with his boss, but Tonali emphatically put that rumour to bed.

Tonali’s performances over recent months have declined worryingly, with the midfielder unable to replicate the standards he set last campaign.

However, his commitment to the club will cheer Newcastle fans, especially as Tonali rediscovered his best form with a superb display against Aston Villa.

Qarabag vs Newcastle United

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