Joe Cole has been talking about Newcastle United.
The former Liverpool and England winger discussing Wednesday’s match.
Joe Cole on the chances of Eddie Howe’s side winning, as they take on Bayer Leverkusen.
The Newcastle United boss set to face Kasper Hjulmand and his team with an 8pm (UK time) kick-off.
This game in Germany is one of the sixth round (of eight) matches in the Swiss League format.
Both teams desperate for the three points as they chase a top eight automatic qualifying spot for the Champions League knockout stages.
Joe Cole talking ahead of Newcastle United facing Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League:
“I said it a few weeks ago that Newcastle would find form and kick on in terms of positive results.
“I’ve watched them a lot this year and they’ve been unlucky on quite a few occasions this season.
“I can see Newcastle going off to Germany and getting the win.
“I can see them edging it out 2-1.
“Anthony Gordon to score or assist is a solid pick.
“He’s finding form too, and he’s been brilliant in the Champions League by netting four goals, and registering one assist in five appearances.”
My thoughts
Here’s hoping Joe Cole is on the money, when it comes to these big Newcastle United predictions.
I think that Bayer Leverkusen are a good team but certainly not unbeatable.
Eddie Howe made a brave move with six outfield changes on Saturday against Burnley, with this Champions League match a major factor in that.
Both of these clubs defeated Manchester City withing days of each other, however, Newcastle United got their win against the Man City first team, whereas Pep Guardiola went a bit extreme and after losing to Eddie Howe’s side, made ten changes for the defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.
From what I have seen, Leverkusen play quite open football and only Bayern Munich have scored more goals than them in the Bundesliga. However, Bayer Leverkusen have also conceded at least six more than all of the other German clubs currently top four in the league.
This could indeed be the perfect kind of match situation for Anthony Gordon to excel in, as Joe Cole predicts. Gordon was excellent on Saturday against Burnley and looked somewhat close to returning to his best, if given plenty of space to run into on Wednesday, this could be a huge help for Newcastle in hopefully getting a hugely important victory.