Paris Saint-Germain will host Newcastle with both teams looking to secure a spot in the knockouts of the Champions League. Newcastle is just two points behind PSG in second place in Group F. The two lost their most recent match. Therefore, the Magpies would move above their distinguished hosts in the table if they were to duplicate their 4-1 victory on Tyneside from October.
Preview (Paris Saint-Germain vs. Newcastle)
Appropriately for this year’s “Group of Death,” a quartet consisting of PSG, Newcastle, AC Milan, and Borussia Dortmund appears destined for an intense finale, with advancement to the round of 16 possibly hanging in the balance. Going into the penultimate round of games, all four are separated by just three points. It means that each team still controls its own destiny. Paris Saint-Germain is aware that two victories from two games would be enough to advance. Even though things might have turned out better, the French champions lost 2-1 to Milan earlier this month as Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud’s strikes at San Siro overcame Milan Skriniar’s early opening goal.
As a result, PSG has now lost three straight-away games in Europe’s top competition, which is a first since 2018. They have also lost two of their past three Champions League group games. It is as many as they had in the previous eighteen. The Ligue 1 leaders have lost six of their last eight Champions League encounters with English clubs. It includes most notably a humiliating 4-1 loss at St James’ Park earlier this season. They will face Newcastle in a much-anticipated rematch at a crowded Parc des Princes.
PSG returned to action on Friday night after the international break, hosting Monaco in the French capital. Prior to kickoff, PSG’s lead over the principality club was just three points. Enrique’s squad won 5-2 to secure their status atop the Ligue 1 standings. They had also suffered back-to-back losses to Borussia Dortmund. After the visitors tied the score halfway through the first half, goals from Anthony Gordon, Joelinton, and Jamaal Lascelles clinched an incredible 4-1 triumph for Eddie Howe’s team, who will now confidently return to Champions League action. Alexander Isak opened the scoring on Tyneside. Despite their most recent 2-0 loss in Germany, Newcastle is only three points behind Group F leaders Dortmund. However, to advance to the round of sixteen, they will probably need to win their final two games.
Team News
While Luis Enrique’s opponent is limited by several absences, his expensively formed team has also been decimated by injuries recently, with Warren Zaire-Emery, the teenage revelation, the most recent Paris Saint-Germain player to be injured. The 17-year-old midfielder, who was just forced off during his senior international debut, is now in the treatment room with Marco Asensio (foot), Nuno Mendes (hamstring), Presnel Kimpembe (Achilles), Danilo Pereira, and Marquinhos (both hamstring).
As a result, the starting lineup for the hosts should not differ much from the one that destroyed Monaco on Friday. The formidable front three of Ousmane Dembele, Gonzalo Ramos, and Kylian Mbappe will challenge Newcastle’s makeshift back four. Thus far, in 12 Champions League matches against English clubs, the latter has directly contributed to seven goals, scoring five and dishing out two assists. Eddie Howe still has Sven Botman (knee), Dan Burn and Elliott Anderson (back), Harvey Barnes (foot), Joe Willock (Achilles), Jacob Murphy (shoulder), and Callum Wilson and Matt Targett (both hamstring) on his long injury list.
Lewis Hall, a left-back on loan from his parent club Chelsea, is back in the lineup. Sean Longstaff is hoping to get over an ankle injury. Alexander Isak spearheads the Magpies’ assault in Wilson’s absence. Anthony Gordon and Miguel Almiron—who opened the scoring in October’s 4-1 victory over PSG will too.
Paris Saint-Germain 2 – 1 Newcastle United
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