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Newcastle United - Champions League Points Predictions!
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How many points will Newcastle United pick up in the 2025-26 Champions League, League phase?
That is the question host Michael Grahamslaw and Joanne Ayres discuss in today's podcast, while Jo joins Iain on the optimistic side, Michael is a little more reserved - who do you agree with, let us know in the comments!
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Transcript
Introduction and Champions League Focus
00:00:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Newcastle podcast. Proud to be part of the Global Sports Podcast Network. I'm Michael Grahamslow and today I am joined by Joanne Hayes. How's it going now, Joanne?
00:00:26
Jo
all good. I think it's been a long time since it was just me and you doing a part together, Michael, so let's see how this one goes, huh?
00:00:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. Long time coming, long time coming indeed. So today we are talking about everything Champions League and of course Newcastle United. Exciting times because we didn't get to do this last year.
00:00:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah We used decided to start a podcast after the Champions League campaign, which, you know, not the smartest idea, but we're here now.
00:00:44
Jo
No.
00:00:49
Jo
Well...
00:00:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ha ha ha ha!
00:00:52
Jo
that
00:00:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the fixtures are out. Tomorrow we face Barcelona under the lights of St. James' Park. ah But the competition as a whole, we know who's standing our way. The big question is, and that's what we'll answer by the end of this pod, how many points can Newcastle United realistically pick up?
Newcastle vs. Barcelona Excitement
00:01:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we'll go through each of the league stage games and uh eight in totals talk about some key battles what our take on newcastle can get from them um from talking with ian yesterday i know there's some very different ones between me and him i'm hot oh i'm excited to see if the same between me and you so let's get straight into it uh match day one newcastle barcelona 18th of september how you feeling about the game right now
00:01:28
Jo
Cool.
00:01:36
Jo
I think anyone that's listened to anything related to the Champions League since we've got Drew, Drawn, whatever, m that I've been ultra excited about the fact of playing Barcelona at home. I wanted
Ticket Chaos and Key Players
00:01:46
Jo
them, I got them.
00:01:47
Jo
I pretty much couldn't have cared about the other seven games to be dramatic about it all. But yeah. um And then the fact that Barcelona is going to be the first game, it just kind of iced on the cake and bar one day, had it been the Wednesday, which I think would have been brilliant if it was, it would have been exactly 28 days, 28 years, sorry, to the day is what I'm trying to say there.
00:01:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:04
Jo
So yeah, it's it's it's, it's, it's, yeah, nostalgia going on all over the place with that one.
00:02:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh.
00:02:10
Jo
I'll be honest there. So I'm over the moon to be there. Appreciate it. It's like, very rare by the sounds There's been a lot of kickoffs with regards the Barcelona game. There's been stuff all over social media about the wonderful school in Dundee and people losing their season tickets and blah, blah, blah, blah.
00:02:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:25
Jo
But yeah, chaos as usual with Newcastle tickets. That'll never, ever change, I don't think.
00:02:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, definitely not.
00:02:29
Jo
um But in terms of the game, man, oh, it's just, it's going to be epic no matter what, isn't it, really? it's ah In terms of atmosphere, every everyone is expecting at least everything that happened at PSG, atmosphere-wise.
00:02:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:42
Jo
i mean, God, if it can get the result, I mean, wouldn't that be the ice on the cake? I think the whole Newcastle will explode again just like they did that night. So I'm pretty excited as the general synopsis, yeah, to not go too far.
00:02:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, mental night.
00:02:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i was going say... The return of Champions League football to St. James is, yeah, we had a taste of it two years ago. We get a lot more this year. Obviously, Dortmund and Milan didn't quite go as the same as PSG.
00:03:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was at Milan myself and that was particularly heartbreaking after Joey put us in front.
00:03:09
Jo
Yes. True.
00:03:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But yeah, the atmosphere alone is going to be absolutely fantastic. But it's Barcelona. They've probably faced atmospheres bigger than that. ah Probably every season, actually, that the team everyone wants to face.
00:03:22
Jo
yeah
Match Intensity and Predictions
00:03:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But there could be some ah comparisons with PSG, as you say.
00:03:24
Jo
yeah
00:03:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Barcelona are very technical, possession heavy. ah Ian and I did a combined 11 between the two sides last night.
00:03:34
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:03:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
We got three players in there and I was being quite generous, if I'm honest.
00:03:38
Jo
Good, right? That's decent, I would say, yeah.
00:03:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
but Yeah, we we managed to get three in there. Luminium Al isn't going to travel to what I'm calling a a minor groin injury, for anyone that hasn't looked up what that is. ah And Lewandowski hasn't started a game this season, so it looks like Rafinha, Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres will be the three strikers of the free attack, I should have said, for Barcelona.
00:03:51
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:04:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
All former Premier League players. Any players there you're particularly worried about?
00:04:05
Jo
No,
00:04:07
Jo
i not Rashford. That one's going to come back to bite us, isn't it? of
00:04:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
100% that's the clip.
00:04:13
Jo
Oh, no. What have I done? ah i mean, yeah, Rafinha, he's been brilliant since he's been there, hasn't he? Obviously,
Preview of Other Opponents
00:04:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:21
Jo
it's a bonus having Yamal out.
00:04:22
Jo
It's a weird one, though, because for me... Yamal is probably my favourite player outside Newcastle. I just think he's just unbelievable. um
00:04:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:32
Jo
he' He's just a special, special player, isn't he, really? And to be able to have seen him at the same time, it's like a catch-22, but obviously I want the best Newcastle, so in the grand scheme, it's probably better he's not playing. um
00:04:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
100%, yeah. Yeah, 100%. Yeah.
00:04:43
Jo
So, yeah, yeah, just ah it's it's one of those, isn't it? Sometimes you just want to see all the big stars and then still thrash them, because, hey, man, we beat Mbappe as PSG, but then PSG were better without him, it turns out.
00:04:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah hundred percent
00:04:55
Jo
um So let's hope Barca aren't better without Jamal is all I'm going to say to that one. But yeah, come on, we we can't deny the kind of talent of the entire Barcelona squad.
00:05:06
Jo
Let's get real, not even just the front three sort of thing, but it's going to make it for a very interesting game.
00:05:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:05:11
Jo
But no, Newcastle will do exactly what we did against Liverpool and pull out all the stops and play like it's the only game that they'll ever play in their entire lives and they'll put it all into them. And that's, at the day, isn't that all that we're ask of them?
00:05:23
Jo
Yeah.
00:05:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
100%, yeah. So I'm going to post you for a prediction. Three points, one point, or nil point?
00:05:30
Jo
3-2, just like 1997.
00:05:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, who's getting the hat-trick?
00:05:33
Jo
Oh. Well, true, yeah. I don't know about the hat trick. Valtemaric, come on, man.
00:05:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course.
00:05:39
Jo
A header, a right foot. It's going the perfect hat trick, yeah? Right, left, and head, yeah?
00:05:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah He'll be worth more than £69 million if he does that against Barcelona.
00:05:45
Jo
Won't he just, I know, and then triple these value in one game.
00:05:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll say that.
00:05:48
Jo
and But no, I'm not going to lie. I think I'm going to let my heart rule over on my head, and I'm going for a win as much as everyone's going to laugh at that entirely. But so what, man? Because everyone laughed us before we beat PSG, so.
00:06:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's absolutely true. No one predicted we'd beaten PSG.
00:06:03
Jo
No.
00:06:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've gone the other way. i think it'll be a tough opener. The home crowd could very much drag us through to a point, um particularly with Yamal out, but I have tried to be as realistic as I can.
00:06:16
Jo
More sensible than me.
00:06:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I do think, yeah, you could put it that way.
00:06:19
Jo
It's all right. just Just say it. It's fine.
00:06:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah I do think it'll be zero points for us, unfortunately, but a point would be absolutely fantastic as well.
00:06:28
Jo
I mean, I wouldn't cry over a point either.
00:06:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:06:30
Jo
I'm not going lie.
00:06:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, absolutely not. And that takes us to match day two going into October. Union St. July away, 1st of October that is.
00:06:39
Jo
Yeah.
00:06:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
How do you feel about that one? Because they're a bit of an unknown quantity, aren't they?
00:06:42
Jo
They are. However, haven't they just went and beat one of our other opponents, PSV, who we'll have at home in January, won't we? m
00:06:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, they battered them.
00:06:49
Jo
So they've just beat them and they were away. three so they've beat them 3-1 away, haven't they? So now they're going to be at home. But we've got to then believe that we can go away and beat that unknown entity that's just beat at PSV.
00:07:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%.
00:07:02
Jo
So yeah, um I've absolutely got that one down as a win. So as you can see, I'm going off for a very strong start of six points. um it It gets better.
00:07:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll win the whole thing.
00:07:11
Jo
but Apparently. so actually get more realistic as the games go on, would you believe? But no, honestly, I'm going to go three points with that one.
00:07:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right.
00:07:17
Jo
Yeah. Yeah.
00:07:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, to be honest, I'm inclined to agree. It's not a glamour tie by any sense of the imagination. ah These are the kind of banana skin fixtures you do get in Europe. But as you say, they battered PSV and they look really good. But Newcastle, you need to win that if you're going to progress. um One thing about them that I do know it is going to be the smallest pitch in the Champions League this season, which means we won't be able to use our width.
00:07:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
So maybe you're looking more at Barnes and Jacob Murphy rather than Gordon and Alanga. Those two won't get the space that they'd usually want. But I said yesterday that Union are one of the eight teams that we simply have to finish above, even if we have an absolutely dreadful campaign.
00:07:48
Jo
No.
00:07:55
Jo
Oh God. Yeah.
00:07:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think they'll get less than they'll get less than six or seven points, although they've already got three.
00:07:58
Jo
Pretty embarrassing.
00:08:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
and But it's a must win for me.
00:08:03
Jo
to
00:08:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Three points.
00:08:05
Jo
ah
00:08:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:06
Jo
You've just ruined them when they've started off really strongly.
00:08:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Honestly, they played better than Arsenal. They're the best team I've seen in the competition so far at 20 past
Must-Win Against PSV
00:08:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
eight. um But yeah, they're not getting any more than three more points. It's fine.
00:08:17
Jo
Okay, fair enough. Fair play.
00:08:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Scenes when they have six after two games.
00:08:19
Jo
but Oh, God, can you imagine?
00:08:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah but But our second home game and one that is probably a bit more winnable in the eyes of Newcastle fans is Benfica, of October.
00:08:22
Jo
Don't say that, man. Mm-hmm.
00:08:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's be honest, Benfica are a seasoned European campaigners. I mean, they knocked us out of the Europa League not all that long ago.
00:08:37
Jo
Nope.
00:08:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Last season, they scored two or more away to Juventus, Red Star, Belgrade, Monaco, beat Bayern in the Club World Cup. So, they're no pushovers whatsoever. But what do you think?
00:08:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that another three points for Newcastle and yours? Is it nine from nine?
00:08:53
Jo
Well, no no, I'm going to be bit strange and I'm going to go for a draw on this one.
00:09:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
why have you gone for a draw?
00:09:02
Jo
Because ah a bit of what you've just said about them not being knockovers, the seasoned pros in this competition and I'm trying to put more of a realistic head on. We're not just going to batter every team. And if I really do believe that we're going to get something out of Barcelona, I think it's just going to take right the wind out with sails.
00:09:19
Jo
We'll just peak early and we're just going to fall off a little bit. and We might pick up some injuries by then.
00:09:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:23
Jo
I don't know. But yeah, i've I'm going for a score draw, not a 0-0 ball and 1. I'm going to go for a score draw, but I won't give any actual scores right now because we're too far in the future. But yeah, i'm going to go for a score draw on that one.
00:09:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. To be honest, I completely agree with you. I think it'll be one of those. We'll go into ah expecting a win because it's Newcastle.
00:09:39
Jo
Yeah.
00:09:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
We always do. um But when you've got a club that scores that many goals away from home, we're not exactly free-flowing when it comes to goals ourselves at the moment.
00:09:41
Jo
Cool.
00:09:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hopefully that changes when Ramsey, Wisser, etc.
00:09:50
Jo
We do.
00:09:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
will get back. But you're going to need to score two, I think, at least to get a result. So I think a draw score draw, what you said there, is absolutely perfect.
00:09:57
Jo
yeah
00:10:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I do agree. ah Then, weirdly enough, we have back-to-back home games. ah The next one's against Athletic Bilbao, who just got beat 2-0 at home to Arsenal in what was a pretty drab and terrible game.
00:10:06
Jo
but
00:10:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we've seen a few of those already this season. ah
00:10:16
Jo
Yes.
00:10:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
They do tend to play with intensity and energy, not like what they did um today. We also, i believe, battered them in the Cellar Cup not that long ago either. um And everyone knows that's a serious competition where everyone plays their best players.
00:10:31
Jo
Very.
00:10:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
But what do you think?
00:10:35
Jo
um I was torn on this one because again, I was almost going to see that as a we should win that game type of thing. So I was leaning towards a draw. um also I'll stick with that.
00:10:46
Jo
I think it's going to be another one of those that, yeah, my my my predictions are all over the shop. You're never going to guess any of these.
00:10:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
hey
00:10:52
Jo
So, yeah, I'm going for a draw with athletic
Champions League Performance Summary
00:10:54
Jo
as well.
00:10:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hey, that makes for great content because finally, we're four games in, but I've actually been more positive than you. And this this is insane.
00:11:01
Jo
See?
00:11:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is brilliant.
00:11:03
Jo
ah What's going on?
00:11:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Bilbao, from what I can see, they don't tend to do well against English opposition. i mean, they could have batted. I haven't got the stats to bat that up.
00:11:12
Jo
Hmm.
00:11:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've just seen them play against Man United and then Arsenal, and they've been terrible. um But I think we're a team that can match that work rate. I think we are better than them man to man. So I think when you're a side like Newcastle and you do match the work rate of teams, even the best teams you come up against, I do you think you're going to get good results.
00:11:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Bilbao will struggle to get out the league face. I know they made the that but did brilliantly in La Liga, got the semi-final Europa League, but I've just got a bit of an inkling and that'll be the case. It'll probably come down to a set piece or something like that. So thankfully we've got two massive hunks in the team.
00:11:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah, so...
00:11:48
Jo
haven't we just i know mind ask me on match day and i'm gonna 100% say that we're winning that game so it's one of those that i'm gonna sit here right because i know what i'm like like on the day i'll be like we are gonna smash them so yeah absolutely yeah i'll completely flip by then i'll be a bit bipolar on it all so yeah it's fine
00:11:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah. 4-0 every LAUGHTER every day
00:12:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it's 100%. It's always the case though, isn't it? On the day, you're sitting there going, the adrenaline of it all, you get so excited about it that it's it's hard to keep a level head.
00:12:10
Jo
yeah yeah the expectation will be there like you say won't it just like the expectation will be there against Benfica as well. So yeah, it's um we'll see how it all goes each game.
00:12:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. 100%. So, you got a draw there. I have three points for Newcastle, and that means we're halfway through, so we're going to get to an advert from Bionique.
00:13:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good stuff. No jazzy music behind the background of that one because I am a boring plain Jane man and that is exactly how I like it. ah ah But on to the next game, which will definitely not be boring.
00:13:15
Jo
but
00:13:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
It'll be arguably one of the feistiest games of the entire competition, I think. And that will be Marseille. versus Newcastle United on November 25th not that long before the derby but thankfully not the game we have to endure before derby day Marseille we've played them before in European competitions another one that we do need to get revenge on after the old Didier Drogba brace way back in the UEFA Cup days but how do you feel about it you think this is a tick tricky one
00:13:33
Jo
Yeah.
00:13:41
Jo
We do.
00:13:47
Jo
i've got I agree it is, but I have got down as a win. So I told you this is where my predictions are. Honestly, I don't think you're going guess each one I'm going to say at this point. I'll be honest.
00:13:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
no
00:13:57
Jo
i don't I think I'm just trying to throw some curveballs, Michael. I'm not going to lie. So yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:14:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
definitely manage that
00:14:03
Jo
well We're going to completely screw up the other two home games, right? and then we're going to to Mossy and beat them. So it's fine because that's the way we like to roll at Newcastle.
00:14:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:14:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah well I was going to say it is the most Newcastle United thing I've ever heard in my life so you may you might be on with the point and when it comes off I will be getting you to put me lottery numbers on at the end of the at the end of the campaign
00:14:15
Jo
see a little bit of logic i was gonna say can you imagine if we're laughing about it now and it's like bang on and be like i
00:14:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
we draw the two home games, go 1-0 up against Marseille, and I'm going, Joe, what have you done?
00:14:32
Jo
and know more game sorry
00:14:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, at the Marseille Stadium is an absolute cauldron. of um
00:14:40
Jo
and
00:14:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've known people from work who actually went to the game where we lost 2-0 and they were saying it's one of the scariest places they've ever been in their lives. Apparently, it's not a great city to go to, not to scare off any of the away fans.
00:14:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
But they do play great football.
00:14:53
Jo
It'll sell out still.
00:14:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, we'll sell out every time.
00:14:54
Jo
Yeah. Easy.
00:14:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah We're not Tottenham. But yeah...
00:14:59
Jo
Ooh.
00:15:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Marseille, they'll try and get every dirty trick in the book.
00:15:00
Jo
Ooh. Mm-hmm.
00:15:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've got Deserby. They've got a lot of players who, let's be honest, we would love to see Joel Linton put his foot through. Mason Greenwood being one of those.
00:15:13
Jo
May well happen. Yeah.
00:15:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Well, we're praying. But they look to dictate the tempo. They're a very dirty team. Can't allow us to be dragged into their sort of game, which I don't think we do.
00:15:23
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:15:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we're actually quite intelligent when it comes to that. um But realistically for me, I know you've got it down as a win. I actually have it down as Marseille winning.
00:15:34
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:15:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it'll be one of those where we'll... I'm not saying it'll be your first loss because i I know I said Barcelona, we could potentially get a draw. um But it's going to be one of those where I think Marseille, the atmosphere just gets a bit too much for us.
00:15:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And the atmosphere goes against Newcastle for a change. ah But on from a team that we've had poor experiences to in the past to ones we've had good experiences with, and that is Bayer Leverkusen.
00:15:53
Jo
there.
00:16:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
So what do you think about the Leverkusen game? Are you confident about that one?
00:16:07
Jo
I had that one down as a draw so I'm going to stick with my original prediction so I'm going to stick with the draw please.
00:16:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. Yeah, to be honest, I think it'd be one of those with Ten Hag in charge. I was pretty much very confident of a win because every time we played Man United, they looked terrible, didn't they?
00:16:23
Jo
Mm-hmm. It's such a shame that all ex-man managers are losing their job.
00:16:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
So...
00:16:27
Jo
but's
00:16:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I thought they were all going to go back to Man United and just create this like Avengers team. LAUGHTER
00:16:34
Jo
Super clan of awful managers.
00:16:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Jose Mourinho at the helm, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ten Hag, put Giggsie in there.
00:16:39
Jo
Oh, dear God.
00:16:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Give it Giggsie till end of season. ah But yeah, I think Leverkusen, at this point, it's really hard to see how they're going to line up.
00:16:47
Jo
Brilliant, man.
00:16:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
New manager going to be coming in by between those times. They've lost half their squad, Frimpong versus...
00:16:57
Jo
Yeah.
00:16:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Granite Jack has for some reason gone to Sunderland, the stupid man. But he wasn't known for his intelligence, so we we'll accept it.
00:17:03
Jo
Strange.
00:17:05
Jo
Very true.
00:17:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:06
Jo
And I think that that was actually something I was going to point out on that game. I think with it being so close to Derby Day as well, I'm not saying we won't have our mind on other things, but we partially will because we all know what Newcastle like to do sometimes.
00:17:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:17:18
Jo
and I'd love to say that we switch it off, but they are humans and they're going to know how much Derby Day means in comparison. I'm not saying a Champions League means nothing, but come on, we all know how much the Derby Day means as well. So, yeah.
00:17:30
Jo
um I think that will be a bit in the back their mind.
00:17:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%.
00:17:32
Jo
i don't know if that's going to mess with them in terms of like their play on the day or whatever. But look, we're going to see because it'll be a whole different situation by then. We don't know who's going to be injured. God pray and not many.
00:17:43
Jo
And just, I don't know. But yeah, the Derby day, I think might just have a little bit of a factor on that game. I'll be honest.
00:17:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, to be honest, it's an excellent point and one I didn't think of when putting my towing points totals down. So that might that my come back to mind. I actually had us down as winning this one and because, lus yeah, we still can.
00:18:00
Jo
we still can hmm
00:18:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But the point you're making there about Derby Day, yeah. a lot of people, you're not going to want to be flying into tackles knowing the Derby's are around the corner ah last season it's a really tough away day but I think genuinely this is one of the most winnable um with the way Leverkusen look right now if we remain disciplined, don't allow too many turnovers, stupid turnovers, one eye on the Derby that would include ah then I think we'll win but yeah of what you said there about the Derby, I'd probably be more tempted to go with the draw but I'm going to stick to my guns as well
00:18:11
Jo
you
00:18:35
Jo
Stick, yep.
00:18:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah then comes maybe what people would regard as the easiest tie of in the Champions League, which is probably cemented considering they've just been battered by that German team that I can't pronounce and mess up every time I say it, Union Saint-Géolard.
00:18:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But yeah, PSV, how how do you feel how do you feel about it?
00:18:53
Jo
It's not too bad that...
00:18:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think it's probably the most winnable of the lot?
00:19:00
Jo
I have got. We're down for a win, I won't lie. I just see where it's finishing strong for home games. So, don't bite when we're backside here.
00:19:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:08
Jo
But yeah, I have got PSV down as ah as a win. But I had that down before they got beaten by Union. I'm stopping at Union.
00:19:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:14
Jo
and sleep But yeah, now that they have, they've kind of not shown their colours a bit because, you know, we're what? How many games away before we play them? They're our, like, seventh game.
00:19:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Another six. Yeah.
00:19:25
Jo
So a lot happens between now and then. Plus, we're well into the January transfer window. Who's to say we haven't signed anyone else by then as well? So I think the last two games could have a real spin for us based on that as well.
00:19:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. It's great point.
00:19:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. It could be one of those as well. Whistle have just come back from AFCON, providing the Republic of Congo actually qualify.
00:19:43
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:19:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it might be one where he comes back, not great. So, I mean, granted, you're glad to have a home game after that, because if you're trying to, you know, hit on the break with Walter Marder, I don't think it's going to be as good as what it was with him holding the ball up like it was against Wolves.
00:19:54
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:19:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So home game could be very crucial.
00:19:59
Jo
Yep.
00:20:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously, we have the the biggest game of the lot next, rate or maybe the hardest game of the lot next. So this is realistically a must-win ah on any level.
00:20:10
Jo
Yeah.
00:20:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah you win If you win match day seven, maybe you don't need anything in match day eight.
00:20:11
Jo
Yeah.
00:20:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, Piers Vier and other team have us convincingly above, even if we have a bad campaign.
00:20:17
Jo
Yeah.
00:20:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I know they look decent in previous years, but...
00:20:27
Jo
Yep.
00:20:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Irode Viz is not what it used to be. I think we'll we'll we'll make sure that's well known. But match day eight, the the heartbreaker of a few years ago.
00:20:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Paris signed your mind away. you looking forward to that again?
00:20:42
Jo
What a start what an end for, a man. boss are Boss at the start and PSG at the end, man.
00:20:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Insane, isn't
00:20:47
Jo
But, um if God, so many of us, and I'll admit it, like when I first pulled out, was like, right, payback. Yeah. It's easy to say, it isn't it? Yeah, we'll just give them paybacks.
00:20:58
Jo
It's just that easy.
00:20:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:59
Jo
um But no, I mean, based on what we talked about earlier, about you know them being a better team um now than when we beat them, um I am trying to be optimistic and thinking that we're going to get something.
00:21:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, much better
00:21:10
Jo
So I'm not going to lie. I'm going to go for a draw. um I'm really struggling, as you can see, to put me down for a loss at all because I don't think I have yet ever.
00:21:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
team.
00:21:18
Jo
No, you see, we're going to...
00:21:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think you have, no!
00:21:20
Jo
you see this, Michael? This is where, but matter what, this is where the positivity stays. And I can never bet against when this means I totally get unrealistic with my predictions sometimes. um But no, look, I said it, so I'll stick with it and I'm going to go a draw.
00:21:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's fine.
00:21:34
Jo
And that's going to be our our level of payback because just just something um from much from a much improved PSG game.
00:21:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would take it. An unjust draw.
00:21:42
Jo
Exactly, yeah.
00:21:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:43
Jo
yeah
00:21:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
and We don't deserve the draw. We get a dodgy decision. 90th minute. Why even? Yeah.
00:21:48
Jo
See? Payback.
00:21:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:49
Jo
That's all.
00:21:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:21:50
Jo
And we'll be happy with that. We will be so happy with that, won't we?
00:21:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
i'd be I'd be overwhelmed.
00:21:53
Jo
Let's get real.
00:21:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah I'd cry in the middle of the street.
00:21:54
Jo
See?
00:21:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
It'd be perfect.
00:21:56
Jo
I need to see that, Michael.
00:21:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah ah Nobody needs to see that.
00:21:59
Jo
I love that. I'll see your tears.
00:22:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
But ah thanks.
00:22:04
Jo
so No, i know I'm being awful. I'm just laughing at you, crying. It's really not.
00:22:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I need to see Michael cry.
00:22:09
Jo
I need to see you cry.
00:22:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Aww.
00:22:11
Jo
I know. Sorry, dude.
00:22:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's all right, it's all right. But you've heard it here first. Eddie Howzen beating Champions League mags. um I will admit um ah um ah I'm not as optimistic.
00:22:20
Jo
Oh, dear God.
00:22:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Current holders the Champions League, I think they're better than what they were then. Mbappe, who ah should be the the main T4 around that stadium.
00:22:30
Jo
Pretty much.
00:22:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Two or three world beat us in to replace them.
00:22:32
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:22:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
If PSG need a win... they'll get it. But I'm sitting here i thinking and PSG might have already qualified in the top eight and they're going, you know what?
00:22:38
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:22:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's just give like Kang, the South Korean kid, some time and stuff like that. Rest some players, you know, Dewey, Kravitzkeli, Dembele.
00:22:53
Jo
See?
00:22:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
They don't need to play, do they?
00:22:55
Jo
This is why we're getting the point.
00:22:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, we're getting a point because they're resting players.
00:22:59
Jo
This is why.
00:23:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:23:02
Jo
I hadn't thought about that, but you bang on. This is why we're getting the point.
00:23:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I i'm trying I'm trying to find any reason that I can that we don't get nil points.
00:23:08
Jo
Thanks. Thanks, Michael.
00:23:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, I do think if if they need the win, they'll get it. um
00:23:16
Jo
Yeah.
00:23:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're that good. Hopefully we don't get blown away. But I do have us getting nil points. I think it'll be 3-0, something like that. But it'll be a lot more and even than the game. Well, that suggests. Maybe not.
00:23:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it probably won't be even at all, actually. Never mind.
00:23:32
Jo
but You went full circle there in about 15 seconds.
00:23:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:23:38
Jo
Oh, dear me.
00:23:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
the trauma The trauma of PSG last time just hitting me back again.
00:23:41
Jo
it's it's sitting' It's sitting well in your head there, isn't it? Renfri, right there.
00:23:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i've I've got the vision of Barcola hitting the bar about four times, just replaying in my head. It's how many times they should have scored. But just to count it up, I have us picking up, I think, 13 points.
00:23:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wins against Union, Bilbao, PSV and Leverkusen. Then a draw against Benfica, losing against the other three. Joe, how did yours tally up?
00:24:08
Jo
Well, I did say 16 at the start and I have still got 16 right. I haven't messed that mathematics up.
00:24:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh
00:24:12
Jo
3, 3, 1, 1. What did I say there? I said 3. I said 1. said 3. Yeah, 16. 16. sixteen
00:24:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And to be fair, if you think Joe's been optimistic, Ian gave me his yesterday after the pod and he said 17. I believe he did say we were going to lose a game, win five, draw two.
00:24:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
um What do you think? That's what I want to hear. ah yeah Are we being too cautious, optimistic, or just about right? Well, not both of us because we're all very different.
00:24:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
But that's what makes football beautiful.
00:24:42
Jo
Somebody's got me wrong.
00:24:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hit us up with your predictions and we'll be back with more Magpies Talk. tomorrow