Magpies up next for Leverkusen

Kasper Hjulmand's side reached the DFB Cup quarter-finals with an impressive victory at Borussia Dortmund in midweek but have suffered back-to-back defeats in the Bundesliga, losing to Niko Kovač's charges before going down 2-0 at Augsburg on Matchday 13.

Die Werkself appear to have found their feet in Europe, however, having followed up a 1-0 win over José Mourinho's Benfica with a superb 2-0 success at Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. Victory over Newcastle would cement Bayer's place in the knockout phase play-off positions.

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Hjulmand will hope to have Alejandro Grimaldo - scorer of Leverkusen's opener at the Etihad Stadium - at his disposal against the Magpies. The 30-year-old missed the defeat at Augsburg with an unspecified injury, which may keep him sidelined until Saturday's Bundesliga clash with rivals Cologne. Axel Tape, however, could be involved as he closes in on a return to action following a thigh injury.

Newcastle, who sit a point above Leverkusen in the league phase standings, will be looking to get their Champions League campaign back on track after losing to Marseille last month. Germany internationals Nick Woltemade and Malick Thiaw - both of whom have made quite the impression since their summer moves to England - are expected to start at the BayArena.

Match stats

• Leverkusen have lost only one of their last six UEFA matches against English teams (W3, D2), keeping four clean sheets in the process.
• Die Werkself have lost only two of their last nine league-phase matches, winning five and drawing two.
• Patrik Schick has scored in Leverkusen’s last two Champions League matches. The only previous Czech player to net in three consecutive games in the competition is Jan Koller for Dortmund in 2002/03
• Leverkusen have won their last two Champions League games without conceding. They last registered three victories in a row in the 2014/15 group stage, but they have never won three consecutive games in the competition without conceding.
• After winning their first four UEFA matches against German teams, Newcastle are winless in the last three encounters (D1, L2) against Bundesliga opposition.
• The only previous UEFA meetings between Leverkusen and Newcastle came in the 2002/03 Champions League second group stage. The English side won 3-1 at home and away.

Probable teams

Leverkusen: Flekken - Andrich (c), Badé, Tapsoba - Arthur, Maza, García, Poku - Tillman, Echeverri - Schick
Out: Blaswich (muscular), Fernández (knee), Palacios (groin)
Doubtful: Tape (fitness), Grimaldo (unspecified), Vázquez (back)
Coach: Kasper Hjulmand

Newcastle: Ramsdale - Livramento, Thiaw, Schär, Hall - Guimarães (c), Tonali, Joelinton - Gordon, Woltemade, Barnes
Out: Botman (back), Krafth (knee), Pope (groin), Trippier (hamstring), Osula (hamstring)
Doubtful: -
Coach: Eddie Howe

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