Newcastle vs Qarabag Champions League: Watch Gabby Logan, Jon Champion and Alan Shearer on ITV as Magpies seek Round of 16 place

Match date: 24 February 2026

Newcastle vs Qarabag Champions League: Watch Gabby Logan, Jon Champion and Alan Shearer on ITV as Magpies seek Round of 16 place

Newcastle United face Qarabag FK in the UEFA Champions League knockout play-off second leg at St James' Park, with Gabby Logan presenting coverage on ITV alongside legendary commentator Jon Champion and former Newcastle captain Alan Shearer. The match kicks off at 8pm GMT, with Newcastle holding a commanding 6-1 aggregate lead after their remarkable first-leg victory in Baku.[1][3]

ITV's coverage represents the primary British terrestrial broadcast option, bringing together one of the most recognisable presenting teams in football. Gabby Logan has established herself as a leading sports broadcaster, bringing extensive experience from her roles across ITV Sport and international football coverage. She will be joined by Jon Champion, widely regarded as one of Europe's most respected commentators, whose distinctive voice has narrated countless significant European matches. Alan Shearer, the former England international and Newcastle's all-time leading goalscorer in European competitions, returns to provide expert analysis alongside fellow pundits Wayne Rooney, Roberto Martínez, and Les Ferdinand.

Additional reporting duties fall to Alex Aljoe and Gabriel Clarke, who will provide touchline insights throughout the encounter. Sky Sports News and HD will feature Keith Downie, the broadcaster's dedicated Newcastle correspondent, providing team news and pre-match analysis. For viewers with alternative preferences, Kelly Cates presents coverage on a secondary channel alongside John Murray and Chris Sutton, whilst Virgin Media Play and Virgin Media Two HD offer Irish viewers commentary from Tommy Martin, David McIntyre, and Keith Treacy, with pundit input from Brian Kerr and Damien Delaney.[1][3][5]

Newcastle's emphatic 6-1 first-leg victory has left the tie effectively decided, with Anthony Gordon producing a stunning performance in Baku after becoming only the 18th player ever to score four goals in a single Champions League match.[5] Manager Eddie Howe has nonetheless demanded professionalism, insisting his squad remain focused on securing a convincing second-leg result rather than contemplating potential Round of 16 opponents. The UEFA Champions League knockout phase demands consistency, and Newcastle's 2025 English League Cup-winning credentials suggest a side capable of maintaining their European momentum.[1][5]

Qarabag, managed by Gurban Gurbanov, face a virtually impossible task despite showing character and resilience throughout their Champions League campaign. The Azerbaijani champions will target redemption after suffering a 6-0 defeat during their previous visit to England at Anfield, though such a turnaround appears unlikely given Newcastle's exceptional form.[5] Gurbanov has already acknowledged the historic nature of his club's European journey this season, thanking supporters for their unwavering backing as the competition continues.

With Alan Shearer's intimate knowledge of Newcastle's capabilities and Wayne Rooney's proven tactical insight, alongside former Belgium manager Roberto Martínez's European expertise, ITV's punditry team offers comprehensive analysis for this somewhat one-sided fixture. Les Ferdinand, another former Newcastle legend, completes a pundit lineup exceptionally well-positioned to assess proceedings at St James' Park. The expectation of a comfortable Newcastle victory should not discourage viewers from tuning in to witness whether Gordon and his teammates can maintain their Baku brilliance on home soil.

Article generated: 24 February 2026, 20:02 GMT