- Date: Tuesday November 28 – 20:00 GMT
- Location: Parc des Princes, Paris, France
- Teams: Paris Saint-Germain vs Newcastle United
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PSG host Newcastle in vital Group F clash
PSG sit in second place in the group, two points ahead of Newcastle who occupy fourth place. The Magpies came out on top when the sides met at St James’ Park in October and PSG will be all too aware of the threat carried by Eddie Howe’s side, despite a mounting injury crisis on Tyneside.
Paris Saint-Germain
PSG have been in good form in Ligue 1, and lead the table, however, last time out in the Champions League saw them lose 2-1 to AC Milan in the San Siro. This, along with a 4-1 loss to Newcastle at St James’ Park, has put the pre group stage favourites in a precarious position going into the final two fixtures. A home win against Newcastle would take the pressure off Luis Enrique’s side before a difficult trip to Dortmund in the final group match. They will go into the fixture in good heart after a 5-2 win over Monaco.
Like Howe, Enrique has a number of injury worries. Teenager Warren Zaire-Emery is likely to be out until the New Year with an ankle injury. Marco Asensio (foot), Nuno Mendes (hamstring), Presnel Kimpembe (Achilles), Danilo Pereira and Marquinhos (both hamstring) are also on the sidelines. After an indifferent night at St James’ Park Kylian Mbappe will want to continue his excellent record against English clubs in the Champions League. He has been directly involved in seven goals from 12 games against English sides, with five goals and two assists.
Newcastle United
Newcastle have managed a series of injuries and suspensions really well to get back on track after a stuttering start to the season. The Magpies are in contention for the European places in the Premier League, through to the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup and have competed well in Group F. However, their injury crisis, coupled with the long-term suspension of Sandro Tonali is stretching the squad to breaking point and a loss to Dortmund followed by a league defeat to Dortmund emphasised this.
United remain in contention for either a last 16 place or a place in the Europa League despite two defeats to group leaders Dortmund but there is a feeling that they will need a win in Paris to give themselves a realistic chance of finishing in the top two and that they will need at least a point to keep their Europa League hopes alive. While they have done well to manage the schedule with all of their injuries so far, there is a feeling that realistically Newcastle will need to simply survive until January and then, with the return of some injured players and possible recruitment, make a push for the European places. Despite having to name three goalkeepers on the bench along with several youngsters promoted from the under 21s the Geordies claimed a fine 4-1 win over Chelsea so set them up for the trip to Paris with the returning Alexander Isak and the inform Anthony Gordon among the scorers.
As well as the suspended Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes (foot), Elliot Anderson (back), Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Sven Botman (knee), Matt Targett (hamstring), Dan Burn (back) and Callum Wilson (hamstring) will not be available. Joe Willock broke down in training on Friday with an achilles issue meaning he will also miss out, with no return date set of the midfielder. On-loan left-back Lewis Hall returns to the squad after being ineligible to face his parent club Chelsea, and Sean Longstaff hopes to be fit after missing the Chelsea match with an ankle injury sustained against Bournemouth.
Prediction
Newcastle are a formidable outfit, with or without some of the big hitters who are unavailable, however, the sheer volume of games and their pressing style means that fatigue is a major issues and the injury crisis is starting to bite. PSG need to win and I think that they will get over the line. Home win.
Given his record against English clubs and the fact that Newcastle snuffed him out at St James’ Park you might want to back Mbappe as an anytime goalscorer.
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