Haaland eyes fastest UCL 50, Newcastle brace for Barcelona

Matchday 1 of the Champions League group-stage resumes on Thursday with another round of high-profile clashes across Europe. Manchester City's meeting with Napoli and Newcastle's showdown against Barcelona headline the night, while elsewhere Sporting CP host Kazakhstan's Kairat Almaty and Frankfurt face Galatasaray. Early kick-offs see Club Brugge welcome Monaco and Copenhagen take on Bayer Leverkusen 

Manchester City vs Napoli
All eyes will be on Erling Haaland as Manchester City prepare for their Champions League opener against Napoli. The Norwegian has scored 49 goals in 48 appearances in the competition and is on the brink of becoming the 10th player to reach the landmark of 50 goals, potentially the fastest ever, beating Ruud van Nistelrooy's record (62 matches).

Haaland arrives in red-hot form, having netted five goals for Norway during the international break and following it up with a derby brace in City's 3-0 win over Manchester United. The 25-year-old already has five goals in four Premier League games this season.

City are unbeaten in their last 21 home group-stage matches (W18 D3), scoring three or more in 13 of their last 16. Pep Guardiola, however, has a negative record against Napoli coach Antonio Conte, losing four of their seven managerial meetings.

The night will also mark a poignant return for Kevin De Bruyne, who left City this summer after a decade of service, joining Napoli on a free transfer. The Belgian racked up 108 goals, 170 assists, and 16 major trophies in 422 appearances during his time in Manchester.

City have the upper hand historically against Napoli, winning both games in 2017-18 after going winless in their first two meetings in 2011-12. Napoli, meanwhile, have never won away to an English club in European competition (P12 W0 D3 L9).

Newcastle vs Barcelona 

At St James' Park, Newcastle return to Champions League action without former star Alexander Isak, who moved to Liverpool in the summer.

Eddie Howe's side lack proven firepower at this level, with only Joelinton, Dan Burn, and Fabian Schar among their current players to have scored in the competition.

Summer signing Nick Woltemade has offered early promise, scoring the winner against Wolves at the weekend. Yoanne Wissa and Anthony Elanga could also be decisive additions, although injuries persist with Jacob Ramsey sidelined.

Barcelona, meanwhile, arrive without teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who suffered a groin injury on international duty. Alejandro Balde, Gavi, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are also absent, though Frenkie de Jong is fit.

Despite the setbacks, Hansi Flick's side retain attacking menace. Raphinha, who was involved in a competition-high 21 goals last season (13 goals, 8 assists), will be central to Barca's chances. Striker Robert Lewandowski has scored nine goals in his last seven appearances in the league phase of the Champions League, while Raphinha found the net 16 times in his last 16 games in this competition.

Newcastle have managed just one win in their last eight Champions League outings (D3 L4), while Barcelona look to lay down an early marker in their quest to reclaim European glory.