Newcastle United can expect a hostile reception on the pitch at the Stade Velodrome tonight, and their fans have already encountered trouble in Marseille.
Eddie Howe will be hoping his team can pick up where they left off against Manchester City at the weekend and secure another vital three points in their pursuit of Champions League progress.
Prediction for Marseille vs Newcastle United?
Newcastle are currently fairly well placed with nine points from four games putting them sixth in the group phase ahead of this week’s action.
Tonight will be a real test of the players’ mettle. And, for fans heading out to watch Newcastle vs Marseille in France, it’s been a difficult and dangerous mission already.
What’s happened to Newcastle fans in Marseille?
As per a report from the Daily Mail, fans who travelled to Marseille were involved in violent clashes with home supporters on Monday night.
Newcastle fans have been seen sheltering themselves in local bars, while others were spotted fighting in the street.
Interestingly, there had been moments of unison between Marseille and Newcastle fans earlier in the day. Some were even seen singing together, sharing a mutual disdain for Paris Saint-Germain.
Later in the night, however, tensions escalated and some Newcastle supporters were seen to be hit with tear gas that was reportedly thrown by Marseille fans.
According to eyewitness reports, undercover police arrived at a mass gathering to warn that Marseille fans were heading that way before a crowd of around 70 people wearing balaclavas descended and caused chaos.
With an estimated 3,300 Newcastle fans heading out to France for the game, warnings were handed out stressing the importance of not wearing team colours or waving flags, while French police had told Geordies not to visit the Old Port, where conflict is known to be rife during footballing events.
Marseille team will be feisty customers
The scenes on the streets of Marseille are very scary indeed, and the trip to the Stade Velodrome is notoriously regarded as one of the most dangerous away days in European football.
On the pitch, Eddie Howe and his players can expect a tough night, too. Marseille are not only a very good, organised team, but they are combative and ruthless, too.
Who remembers the last time Newcastle United played Marseille?
The likes of Emerson, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and Geoffrey Kondogbia are all mean customers and will be looking to add some fire to the game. It’s the Roberto De Zerbi way, as we know from his time at Brighton, and Newcastle will have to more than match that intensity.
While Angel Gomes showed his reverence for Newcastle in his latest interview ahead of the game, here’s hoping the Magpies don’t approach the game with that kind of respect and show the fight and spirit we expect from them on these big European nights.
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