Newcastle United is about to have a big week. It starts with a UEFA Champions League game versus Union SG in Brussels on October 1, 2025. After a crushing 2-1 loss to Arsenal in the Premier League on September 28, the pressure is on to respond in Europe, especially after losing to Barcelona in the first round. Eddie Howe’s team is strong on defence and has a lot of offensive potential. They will go up against a strong Belgian team that just beat PSV 3-1 in the league phase. Newcastle are 20/1 and those in the know have been taking advantage of a Stay Casino no deposit bonus in relation to Th Toons Results. This article talks about what people were thinking before the match, team news, a predicted lineup, and a prediction for the match. It also talks about the VAR controversy from the Arsenal game that has fans angry.
Setting the Stage: A Week of High Stakes
Newcastle United’s journey to Brussels is the start of a tough double-header that combines the demands of the Champions League with the need to recuperate in the Premier League. The 2-1 setback to Arsenal turned what looked like a good start to the 2025/26 season into a wake-up call, with late drama showing weaknesses. Union SG is fresh to the Champions League and is coming in with a lot of confidence. They have won eight of their past ten games and are back on top of the Belgian League as defending champions. Their 3-1 upset of PSV in the first game of the league round shows that they are not a simple team to beat, even though they look like the easiest team for Newcastle on paper.
Howe’s team has been hard to beat on the road this season; they haven’t let up any goals away from St. James’ Park. However, Nick Woltemade needs their attack to get going. Howe’s approach relies on the German striker, who has relied on wide players like Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga for help, but they still can’t score. With midfield geniuses Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali pulling the strings, Newcastle’s creativity has to turn into chances. Howe’s time at the club has been marked by strong defence, but that will be put to the test against Union SG’s agile attack. A win might give Newcastle’s season a boost, as they have only won one league game in six.
Team News: Schär is back and Livramento is out
During a news conference on September 30, Eddie Howe gave a cautious update on Tino Livramento’s knee injury and confirmed that the right-back will not be able to play against Union SG. After a collision in the 89th minute versus Arsenal, Livramento was taken off the pitch on a stretcher. The swelling led to a second medical evaluation. “We’re still waiting to hear how bad his injury is,” Howe added. I think I should wait before saying anything about that since I think it might be a mistake. So, let’s wait and see what happens in the following few days. Early signs point to it not being an ACL tear, which is a relief since Livramento played 32 games last season, but it’s still not known when he’ll be back, which might mean he misses weeks of action.
Fabian Schär is back after 12 days of concussion protocol, which is good news for the defence. Howe said, “The team is in a good place, except for Tino.” Fabian is back with the team. Lewis Hall is likely to play as a left-back, while Yoane Wissa (knee) and Jacob Murphy (ankle) are still out. The flight to Brussels went well, and Howe stressed the need of being focused: “The journey was good, the flight was quick for us, and we will train this afternoon.”
A balanced 4-3-3 attack is what they think will happen.
Howe will probably go back to a 4-3-3 shape to get the most creativity out of his players, and Hall’s return will allow for a back four. Here is the expected XI:
Nick Pope is the custodian. Even though people have said bad things about his distribution, Pope’s shot-stopping is still very important, especially because Trafford’s transfer situation is still going on.
Defenders: Kieran Trippier on the right, Fabian Schär and Dan Burn in the middle, and Lewis Hall on the left. Trippier’s experience holds the right side together, Schär’s return adds strength, Burn offers height, and Hall contributes energy.
Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali, and Joelinton play in the middle. Guimarães controls the game, Tonali sees openings in defences, while Joelinton’s energy protects the backline.
Anthony Elanga is on the right flank, Nick Woltemade is the striker, and Anthony Gordon is on the left wing. Elanga’s speed makes the game longer, Woltemade leads the line, and Gordon’s directness makes chances.
Substitutes like Harvey Barnes for attacking flare or more midfield alternatives could change the flow of the game. This team strikes a good mix between Howe’s aggressive press and defensive prudence, which is important against Union SG’s counter-threats.
Prediction for the match: A close win in Brussels
Union SG’s form—eight wins in ten games, including a 3-1 win over PSV—makes this no easy game, but Newcastle’s road invincibility and strong midfield give them the edge. The Magpies’ defence has kept clean sheets on the road, and Schär’s return makes them even more determined. Elanga and Gordon need to step up and help Woltemade from the wings. Howe’s press works well against Union SG’s high line, but their home fans at the Stade Joseph Marien could be a problem.
A tie wouldn’t be surprising, since Newcastle has had three draws on the road this season, but Howe’s tactical changes—going back to a back four—should create chances. Woltemade will score the winning goal with a header, and Gordon will help him. Union SG will challenge Pope early on, though. A win would end the “nightmare seven days” and give fans optimism in a season with only one league win in six.
Woltemade’s Arsenal Outburst Caused a Lot of Trouble with VAR
There were problems with VAR during the Arsenal loss, as additional film showed two mistakes involving Nick Woltemade. Gabriel’s elbow to Woltemade’s face when he wasn’t looking and a clear handball before Arsenal’s winning goal made them even angrier. After the game, Woltemade asked why VAR didn’t do anything: “After the goal, I felt Gabriel’s elbow in my face from two meters away, so his arm has to be really high.” I told the referee that I thought it was wrong to feel something in the face.
He said, “I’m not the kind of player who would fall for this.” It’s hard because you might have to do this sometimes, but this isn’t the kind of football I like. He apologised sorry after, so I suppose he realised he hit me in the face. To be honest, I didn’t fix the problem. The incident, which was part of a physical fight, showed how inconsistent VAR is. Gabriel dove for a foul before Woltemade’s first goal. Fans on social media were angry with the “shocking” mistakes, with one post dubbing it “another VAR robbery,” which echoed their anger following the loss to Barcelona.
A Big Week for Newcastle
Newcastle United’s journey to Brussels is an opportunity to start over after a rough week. The Union SG game will test Howe’s toughness, and the defence will be affected by Livramento’s absence and Schär’s return. The women’s squad, on the other hand, will have to play Nottingham Forest again in the League Cup after losing to Charlton 1-0. Coach Becky Langley is asking for patience until they work out their problems with integrating. They are now eighth in Women’s Super League 2 after losing three games in seven days, including the Forest cup tie. Langley says, “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”
A win versus Union SG may turn things around for the men, and Trafford’s pursuit shows Howe’s summer plan. The Arsenal VAR situation isn’t over yet, but Woltemade’s honesty shows how hard the team is working. This week could make or break Newcastle’s season as they try to go up in the Champions League.
