Newcastle v PSG- Preview, Predictions, and Best Bets

Newcastle host PSG at St. James’ Park in their first home Champions League match in two decades. The Magpies have turned their season around thanks to five successive clean sheets. Paris Saint-Germain won 2-0 in their matchday one fixture and will hope to win on English soil as they did at Old Trafford in 2020.

Newcastle Form

It wasn’t the best start to the season for Newcastle, partly due to a tough fixture list. After thrashing Aston Villa 5-1, they lost three matches in a row. The 1-0 away loss to Man City was unexpected but throwing away a 1-0 home lead to ten-man Liverpool in a 2-1 loss and then being outclassed 3-1 at Brighton was concerning.

They’ve since kept five clean sheets with three league victories out of three, plus a credible 0-0 draw away to AC Milan. They allowed plenty of shots in that draw but defended stoutly. They’ve followed that up by winning 8-0 at Sheffield United with eight different scorers and then by beating Man City 1-0 in the Carabao Cup. On Saturday, they had a routine 2-0 home win over Burnley.

Newcastle Team News

Eddie Howe has quite a few injury concerns. Callum Wilson is tough-and-go to even make the bench whilst Sven Botman is ruled out at centre-back. Jamaal Lascelles will deputise and also wear the captain’s armband.

In midfield, Joe Willock is injured and Joelinton is a major doubt. Sandro Tonali is competing with Elliott Anderson for one spot. Anthony Gordon will play down the left wing with Harvey Barnes injured long-term.

Newcastle Motivation

Motivation will be at an all-time high. The players and the crowd will be completely focused on stopping PSG and Kylian Mbappe.

Newcastle will play for the win and will attack at times, but they won’t leave themselves open to counters against the pace of Mbappe, Dembele, and Muani.

PSG Form

PSG have had a mixed start to the season under Luis Enrique. Their first five Ligue 1 matches saw them drop points on three occasions. They began the season with a 0-0 at home to Lorient and then a 1-1 draw at Toulouse. Successive victories followed as they beat Lens 3-1 and Lyon 4-1 away in a top display. With one eye on the Champions League, PSG were beaten 3-2 at home to Nice.

A 2-0 victory over Dortmund on matchday one saw a fine performance with 68% possession, 2.44 xG, and 17 shots. A ruthless 4-0 home win over arch-rivals Marseille followed as they only allowed their opponents six shots and 23% possession. On Saturday, they could only draw 0-0 at Clermont despite 3.06 xG and missing all five of their ‘big chances’.

PSG Team News

Luis Enrique has moved between a 4-3-3 and a 3-4-3 this season. Either way, Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, and Randal Kolo Muani will form the front three. Left-back Nuno Mendes is ruled out after hamstring surgery.

Winger Marco Asensio is doubtful after a foot injury but he wouldn’t have started anyway. Striker Hugo Ekitike was not registered for Europe. Another absentee is experienced defender Presnel Kimpembe.

PSG Motivation

PSG have been playing a heavy possession style under their new coach. They will try to dominate this match and take the win.

A draw would not be a bad result at all after having beaten Dortmund on matchday one. PSG could be inclined to settle for a draw, if the Magpies are on top in the latter part of the match.

Key Stats

Newcastle have kept 5 clean sheets in a row

Newcastle have won 4 of their 5 home matches this season

PSG have kept 3 clean sheets in a row

PSG have won just 2 of their last 9 away Champions League matches

Verdict

This match could be any of the three results, and either low-scoring or full of goals. Despite the sides’ recent clean sheets, Newcastle will miss Sven Botman and PSG may struggle to deal with the intensity of the Magpies. I’m tipping a score draw.