NEWCASTLE, England (Interstat) — A crucial Champions League group-stage match awaits at St. James’ Park on Wednesday as Newcastle United hosts Athletic Club, with both sides seeking momentum in European play.

Newcastle (1-1-0, 3 points) enters the contest buoyed by a decisive 3-0 home victory over Benfica on Oct. 21. The Premier League side’s lone defeat this season across all competitions was a narrow 2-1 loss to Barcelona in September.

Athletic Club (1-2-0, 3 points) arrives with identical overall and Champions League records but mixed recent form. The Spanish club snapped a two-game losing skid in the competition with a 3-1 win over Qarabag on Oct. 22, following heavy defeats to Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal.

The matchup presents a pivotal opportunity for either club to solidify its position in the challenging group. According to Interstat’s game simulator, Newcastle is projected to secure a 2-0 victory.

Following this match, Newcastle will travel to Marseille on Nov. 25, while Athletic Club will host Slavia Praha on the same date in the next round of group-stage fixtures.