PSG v Newcastle – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

PSG host Newcastle . The first meeting ended 4-1 at St. James’ Park but Luis Enrique’s can take a step towards qualification with a third home win in this competition. The Magpies have lost successive European matches and are ravaged by injuries for this one.

PSG Form

The Parisians started their European campaign with a dominant 2-0 home win over Dortmund. A 4-1 thrashing at Newcastle followed on matchday two. They bounced back from that disappointment with five wins in a row with three goals scored in each victory, including 3-0 at home to AC Milan.

PSG made it two away losses in the group stage on matchday four as they were beaten 2-1 at AC Milan despite having 69% possession. Prior to the FIFA break, PSG won 3-0 at Reims Kylian Mbappe scored a hattrick. They resumed action on Friday by thrashing title rivals Monaco 5-2 at home. They put up 11 shots on target and 2.59 Expected Goals.

PSG Team News

Luis Enrique has a number of injury problems for this match. Central defender Marquinhos is injured, and fullback Nuno Mendes is still ruled out. Nordi Mukiele is set to play at left-back with Lucas Hernandez starting centrally.

Presnel Kimpembe is still unavailable and teenage prodigy Warren Zaire-Emery is also injured. Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha are set to start in midfield along with Ugarte. Marco Asensio is back from injury in attack but won’t start.

PSG Motivation

PSG can take a big step towards qualification with a home win. They will attack and won’t settle for a draw at any point.

After playing a front four at St. James’ Park, a more balanced setup is likely in this one.

Newcastle Form

Newcastle got back to winning ways on Saturday as a strong second half brought a 4-1 home victory over Chelsea. Prior to that, they had lost 2-0 in successive matches as injuries and fatigue began to take their toll. They went into the FIFA break with a 2-0 loss away at Dortmund and a 2-0 loss at Bournemouth in the league.

Before those losses, Newcastle had lost just once in 12 matches in all competitions, a matchday three 1-0 home loss to Dortmund. A 2-2 draw at Wolves saw them surrender a lead before going to Man Utd and winning 3-0 in the Carabao Cup. A 1-0 home win over Arsenal followed as a controversial goal proved the difference.

Newcastle Team News

Eddie Howe has a plethora of injuries. Dan Burn, Sven Botman, and Matt Targett are absent in defence. Tino Livramento is set to play at left back whilst Lewis Hall is available again too. Jacob Murphy, Callum Wilson, and Harvey Barnes are injured in attack, but Alexander Isak is fit to start.

The midfield sees Sandro Tonali banned, Elliot Anderson injured, and maybe question marks over Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock. Teenager Lewis Miley could be handed another start in the engine room.

AC Milan Motivation

Newcastle needs a win here. A draw would give them only a very slim chance of progressing if the other match in this group also finished level.

Howe’s team will sit back and play on the counter attack. That was their setup for the draw in Milan on matchday one.

Key Stats

PSG have won 8 of their last 10 home matches in the Champions League

PSG have conceded in 4 of their last 6 home UCL matches

Newcastle have lost their last 2 UEFA Champions League matches

Newcastle have lost 3 of their last 7 matches (all competitions)

Verdict

This match should be an entertaining one after the 4-1 result when the sides first met. PSG are very strong at home in this competition and face Newcastle at a good time. A victory for the hosts looks more likely here.