Newcastle vs Dortmund Player Boost

Eddie Howe is rather spoilt for choice when it comes to options at centre forward. Alexander Isak, Callum Wilson, it’s a nice conundrum to have.

Both can do the job, but it’s the Swedish international that’s expected to get the nod here.

Rested at the weekend, Isak will be more than fresh for this one, as he looks set to start his third consecutive Champions League tie for the Magpies.

Newcastle were electric against PSG, and Isak could well have had a goal himself on the night.

He managed 2 shots on target against one of the best sides in Europe, and with the crowd spurring him on, he could well do the same against Dortmund.

His domestic form is also fantastic. 6 goals, 1.83 shots on target P/90, Isak is more than capable of causing any team a problem.

As for Dortmund, they will give up chances, as they have done to both PSG and AC Milan in the competition thus far.

They have an average xGA of 2.05 P/90 in Europe. Afford those sorts of chances to Newcastle and Isak will make them pay.

Did Dortmund bottle the title last season? It’s difficult to say anything but yes on the matter. So with that lingering on their mind, their solution was to go and bring in the Bundesliga’s top scorer from last season in Niclas Fullkrug.

He’s proven a solid acquisition as well, with the German international netting 2 times in his 4 league starts so far this season.

Not to mention, he’s bagged himself 9 goals in 11 appearances for Germany. This man is a serious threat, and Newcastle’s backline will need to keep their focus if they’re to deal with him.

Fullkrug is averaging 1.00 shots on target P/90 in the Bundesliga, having averaged 1.16 P/90 on his way to becoming the Bundesliga’s top scorer last season.

He hit a singular shot on target in his only Champions League start against Milan, and whilst he failed to hit the target against PSG, he was a menace, having 3 efforts at goal, 2 of which blocked, in just 28 minutes on the pitch.

Newcastle caught PSG cold last time out. But, Milan managed 9 shots on target against them. Their playstyle in Europe certainly doesn’t represent their approach in the league; they’re affording opponents plenty of possessions and chances.

Do that against Dortmund, I’d you’d expect them to rack up similar numbers to Milan, and Fullkrug is the prime suspect for a shot on target in such a situation.

Newcastle’s midfield have been fouling for fun this season, but if there’s one player to pick above all others here, it’s Bruno Guimaraes.

The Brazilian struggled early doors this campaign, certainly looking nothing like the player that helped steer Newcastle to a top 4 finish.

At times he’s looked rash, perhaps overly aggressive, and has been caught out by the opposition on a number of occasions.

Guimaraes is averaging 1.51 fouls P/90, having picked up 2 or more against the likes of Liverpool, City, Brentford, and West Ham. In fact he’s only failed to commit a foul on 3 occasions this season.

The way in which Newcastle are playing in Europe won’t help Guimaraes either. They’re sitting back, playing on the counter, and affording their opponents plenty of possession.

Milan had 54%, PSG 72%, so Newcastle’s deep lying midfielder is undoubtedly going to come under serious pressure.

It should be an incredibly interesting battle, and with the likes of Nmecha, Ozcan, and Can all drawing 2.98, 2.73, and 1.36 fouls P/90 respectively, it could be a long night for the heartbeat of the Newcastle midfield.

To put it mildly, Ramy Bensebaini is an absolute nutter. He will get aggressive, he will throw a bit of a tantrum on the pitch, and he’s more than liable to get himself into unnecessary disputes as a result.

The Algerian kicks, he bites at the ankles of opponents, and quite frankly, he’s the best pick for a Dortmund foul full stop.

With Julien Ryerson out injured, Bensebaini has no competition for his spot at left back, and his 2.00 fouls P/90 make for a tantilising prospect in that very market.

Need more of a picture of what he’s like? He’s already received 5 cards in the Bundesliga this season.

He’s committed a foul in all of his starts in all competitions for Dortmund this season, and given the pace at which Newcastle will counter, I’d expect more of the same here.

Bensebaini will face a barrage of threats as well. Kieran Trippier will provide a threat from deep, and is fouled 1.41 times P/90, whilst Sean Longstaff will occupy areas in the right hand channel as he bursts forward.

The Englishman draws 2.00 fouls P/90, and that compliments the numbers put up by Miguel Almiron superbly. He draws a further 1.82 fouls P/90 in the Champions League, and that’s a host of threats that Bensebaini will struggle to deal with.