Newcastle United vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction 05.11.2025 | UEFA Champions League

Spurs may not be among the frontrunners to lift the “Big Ears” trophy, but they certainly possess enough quality to dream of a top-eight finish in the League Phase, especially given their encouraging start to the European campaign.

After being brought down 2-1 by Catalan giants Barcelona on the opening day, the Magpies responded in perfect fashion with back-to-back commanding victories, first sweeping aside Royale Union SG 4-0 before putting Benfica to the sword with a ruthless 3-0 triumph.

Unfortunately, their Premier League inconsistency resurfaced over the weekend, as they squandered an early lead and ultimately fell to a 3-1 hammering at the hands of bottom-three dwellers West Ham, halting their three-game winning streak and denting confidence ahead of this European battle.

However, Eddie Howe’s men will take comfort in returning to St. James’ Park, where they have won each of their last four home matches while conceding just once in that stretch, and they’ll be eager to maintain that fortress-like form on the continental stage.

While Tino Livramento and Yoane Wissa are confirmed absentees, Kieran Trippier’s availability remains in doubt after missing the weekend league clash due to illness, though Anthony Gordon is expected to be fit despite being withdrawn in the second half against West Ham with a minor hip issue.

They have returned to Europe’s elite club competition after 11 long years, earning their spot through a fourth-place La Liga finish last season, yet Athletic Bilbao’s comeback Champions League campaign has not enjoyed the smoothest of starts — though there’s still time to turn things around.

To be fair, the Basque outfit have faced a difficult schedule and their long absence from this stage has clearly been felt, suffering defeats to Arsenal (2-0) and Borussia Dortmund (4-1) in the opening two rounds before responding with an emphatic 3-1 dismantling of Azerbaijani side Qarabag.

However, that European boost failed to carry over domestically, as the Lions have since stumbled to narrow home defeats against both Getafe and Real Sociedad — the latter extending their travel woes to five straight away games without a win, four of which ended in defeat.

Forward Inaki Williams picked up a groin injury against Qarabag and has missed the following two fixtures, making his availability for Wednesday’s clash highly doubtful, while experienced defender Inigo Lekue is also rated as a major doubt.