Overview
- Club images of the traveling party did not show Joelinton, Lewis Miley, Sven Botman or Yoane Wissa, leaving their availability unclear after recent fitness issues.
- Bruno Guimarães, Fabian Schär, Tino Livramento and Emil Krafth are ruled out, with further late checks expected on Botman, Miley and Wissa.
- Qarabag coach Gurban Gurbanov labeled Newcastle the favorites, saying their style "does not suit us" while calling for a brave home performance.
- Around 1,998 Newcastle supporters are in Baku after a 2,529-mile trip, and the club has advised a 30-minute post-match hold with a police‑escorted exit and respect for local customs as Ramadan begins.
- This is the clubs’ first meeting within UEFA’s new league‑phase play-off format, with the return leg set for St James’ Park next week.