Union Saint-Gilloise will host Newcastle United at Lotto Park in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, eager to continue a strong start to the season.

Union Saint-Gilloise managed to beat PSV Eindhoven away from home on Matchday 1 of their 2025/26 Champions League campaign, and they will certainly fancy their chances vs Newcastle United on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United are coming into this game on the back of a defeat against Arsenal. They will look to bounce back strongly. It remains to be seen whether they can pick up their first win of the UEFA Champions League campaign. The Magpies were beaten by Barcelona in their opening game of the tournament.

Newcastle United certainly have a quality team, and they will look to produce a strong display away from home. On the other hand, the home team are coming into this game on the back of a five-match winning run. They will be confident of getting the job done. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the upcoming UEFA Champions League clash at Lotto Park.

Team News & Tactics

Union Saint-Gilloise

Sebastien Pocognoli will be without injured striker Mohammed Fuseini when Newcastle United visit Stade Joseph Marien on Wednesday night. Other than that, he has a fully fit squad to choose from.

Union Saint-Gilloise are likely to shape up in a 3-4-1-2 formation vs Newcastle United, with Kjell Scherpen in goal. In the back three, Fedde Leysen will start alongside Christian Burgess and Kevin Mac Allister. Anan Khalaili and Ousseynou Niang will start on the flanks as the wing-backs. They will look to protect the centre-backs and hit Newcastle United on the break.

As for the midfield unit, Adem Zorgane and Mathias Rasmussen will pair up in the middle of the park. They will look to control the tempo of the game and help out defensively. Anouar Ait El Hadj will look to create opportunities for his teammates and link the midfield with the attack. Finally, Promise David and Raul Florucz will lead the line for the home team.

Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Scherpen; Leysen, Burgess, Mac Allister; Khalaili, Zorgane, Rasmussen, Niang; El Hadj; David, Florucz

Newcastle

Valentino Livramento picked up a knee injury recently, and he will be unavailable for the foreseeable future. Fabian Schar is doubtful for Eddie Howe’s side, while Jacob Ramsey and Yoane Wissa have been ruled out. Newcastle United will shape up in a 4-3-3 formation vs Union Saint-Gilloise, with Nick Pope in goal.

Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn will start as the full-backs. They will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw will pair up at the heart of the defence for the away side.

As for the midfield unit, Bruno Guimaraes will start in the centre of the park alongside Sandro Tonali and Joelinton. The Brazilian will look to add creativity and control, while Tonali looks to provide defensive cover and physicality. Joelinton will add drive and workrate to the side.

Nick Woltemade will lead the line for Newcastle United vs Union Saint-Gilloise, with Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon on either side of him.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Botman, Thiaw, Burn; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon

Key Stats

• Newcastle United have picked up just two wins from the last six matches in all competitions.
• Union Saint-Gilloise have picked up five wins from the last five matches in all competitions.
• Union Saint-Gilloise have kept a clean sheet in three of the last six matches in all competitions.
• Newcastle United have kept a clean sheet in three of the last six matches in all competitions.
• Newcastle United have won just one of their last nine games in the UEFA Champions League (D3 L5), a 4-1 win over PSG in October 2023. The Magpies have won 32% of their games in the competition (8/25), with Blackburn (17%) the only English side with a lower win ratio.

Player to Watch

Nick Woltemade

Embed from Getty Images

The German international has done quite well since the move to the Premier League, and he is our key player to watch out for. Woltemade managed to score a goal against Arsenal in the last outing, and he will look to get on the score sheet here as well.

The youngster is more than just a goalscorer. He will look to link up with his teammates and create opportunities for them as well. Newcastle United will need him to step up and produce a strong performance if they want to pick up a win here.

Prediction

Union Saint-Gilloise 1-2 Newcastle United

Both teams will look to pick up a victory here, and this is likely to be a close contest. Neither side is defensive in their approach, and there will be plenty of opportunities for them to get on the score sheet.

The two sides are likely to score here, and Newcastle United should be able to pick up a narrow victory. The Magpies have more quality and depth in the squad, and they should be able to get the job done away from home. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 victory for Eddie Howe and his charges.