Newcastle United return to Champions League action against Athletic Club this week and here’s everything you need to know about the fixture.
Big Champions League nights have proven to be a tonic to shaky Premier League form for Newcastle United this season and one is certainly needed this week.
Eddie Howe’s side put in an atrocious performance on Sunday as they fell to a 3-1 loss at the seemingly hapless West Ham United, with the wait for an away win in the league continuing.
It ranks among Howe’s worst defeats in four years as Newcastle manager and a big response is needed in Europe.
Bilbao’s Athletic Club are in town and here’s what you need to know.
- Champions League 2025-26: Dates, format, prize money, ranking and new rules for Newcastle United to get used to
When is Newcastle United vs Athletic Club?
Athletic Club visit St. James’ Park on Wednesday, November 4, 2025, with many of their travelling fans already spotted enjoying the city well ahead of the game.
Kick-off at the match comes at 8pm on what is bound to be a nippy North East evening on the Tyne.
How to watch Newcastle vs Athletic
As with every Champions League fixture this season, Newcastle’s game will be broadcast live and there are different ways to tune in.
TV channel
Newcastle’s fourth Champions League fixture of the season will be shown by TNT Sports, on their TNT Sports 2 channel.
Coverage of the game will only begin at 7:45pm, however, as the focus will first be on Chelsea’s trip to Qarabag in the day’s early game.
Newcastle vs Athletic Bilbao live stream
The streaming home for TNT Sports is Discovery+.
Those with a subscription will be able to stream the game live on their laptops, smartphones and tablets via the Discovery+ app.
It will cost you £30.99 per month to subscribe to Discovery+.
Newcastle United vs Athletic Club team news, Nico Williams latest
It remains to be seen just how many changes Howe will make for the match, but given his unhappy comments after West Ham, anyone could lose their place.
Lewis Hall finally returned to the bench on Sunday, but it’s not yet clear if he will be fit enough to start.
Meanwhile, Tino Livramento and Yoane Wissa are sidelined, while Anthony Gordon went off injured in London and Kieran Trippier missed the game with illness. They are doubts at this stage.
Athletic could be without their star player as Nico Williams missed training on Monday with a pubalgia problem.
The La Liga outfit are also missing Benat Prados, Unai Egiluz and Yeray Alvarez.
Referee and officials
- Referee: Ivan Kruzliak SVK
- Assistants: Branislav Hancko SVK and Jan Pozor SVK
- Fourth Official: Peter Kralovic SVK
- VAR: Fedayi San SUI
- Assistant VAR: Bastian Dankert GER
- UEFA Referee Observer: Vitor Melo Pereira POR
- UEFA Delegate: Christian Kofoed DEN
Newcastle vs Athletic prediction
Athletic are in poor form. They lost the Basque derby in the last minute to Real Sociedad on Saturday, meaning they have just one league win since August. Their only Champions League win came last time out against Qarabag.
If they are without Nico Williams, then they will be at a severe disadvantage.
Newcastle have looked strong in the Champions League and with a big response required, they should get another strong win.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-0 Athletic Club.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
