You got to give Newcastle United this, they are consistent, or at least consistently inconsistent. The Geordies are exactly 11th in both the Premier League and the Champions League tables at this point. They’ll head to Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday night looking down the table on their opponents. Ever since Xabi Alonso left, Leverkusen has not been the same. His replacement Erik ten Hag, was a short-lived flop, so now we’re in the Kasper Hjulmand era.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe will match wits with him in midweek, and he’ll do so without the services of four, and maybe even five players.
UEFA Champions League Matchday 6 FYIs
Newcastle United at Bayer Leverkusen
Kickoff: Wed. Dec. 10, 8pm, Bay Arena, Leverkusen, Germany
UCL Standing, Form: Newcastle United 11th, 9 pts LWWWL Bayer Leverkusen 17th, 18 pts DDLWW
Newcastle United Team News
William Osula (ankle), Sven Botman (lower back), Nick Pope (groin) and Kieran Trippier (thigh) are all ruled out. Meanwhile Emil Krafth (knee) faces a late fitness test.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, RG.org and Ratings.org. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.