The 16 most dangerous sides Newcastle United could draw in Champions League group stage

Newcastle United fans will already be getting excited about next season’s Champions League campaign, but who could they face?

The Magpies’ campaign has now drawn to a close, and what a season it was for Eddie Howe’s men, who secured a top four finish and a return to the Champions League after more than two decades. A big summer is needed if Newcastle are to make a serious run in UEFA’s premier tournement, with the Magpies guaranteed to have their work cut out.

The club’s lack of recent European history means they will almost certainly be placed in pot four for the group stage draw, placing them alongside three better seeded clubs in the initial stage of the competition.

But who could the Magpies be drawn against? We can’t say for sure just yet, with coefficient rankings determining who goes into which pot, but we already know Newcastle can’t face another English team until later in the tournement. It’s also worth keeping in mind that they can only be drawn against one team from each country, and indeed one team from each seeding pot.

As far as Spansh clubs go, Newcastle could be drawn against La Liga champions Barcelona, serial winners Real Madrid, and they could also face Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad. The latter will finish fourth this season, but steady performance in the Europa League over recent years should get them into pot three. If La Real end up in pot four, Newcastle will not be able to face them in the group stage. Sevilla would also be available should they win the Europa League.

Over the Bundesliga, and Newcastle could draw champions Bayern Munich or second placed Borussia Dortmund. RB Leipzig will also be on the table, but fourth placed Union Berlin will almost certainly be in pot four. Italy’s top four is also set, and Newcastle could face all four. Champions Napoli will be on the table, as well as Lazio, Inter Milan and AC Milan. Roma could also be an opponent should they win the Europa League.

As far as France is concerned, Newcastle can only face Paris Saint Germain, with second-placed Lens likely to be seeded in pot four. Over to Portugal, and both Benfica and Porto - who can both win the league on the final day - will be seeded above Newcastle and will be possible opponents. We could tick off numerous other leagues, but we will round the list of possible opponents off with Dutch side Feyenoord, who will be possible opponents for the Magpies in the group stage.