PSG v Newcastle: Line-ups, stats and preview ahead of crunch Parc des Princes encounter

Match Preview for PSG v Newcastle

Paris-Saint-Germain need to win against Newcastle at the Parc des Princes tomorrow night if they are to avoid the complication of the Champions League playoffs and remain on course to retain the title they won so impressively last season.

The oft-talked about ‘Holy Grail’ of winning Europe’s biggest prize was finally achieved with their 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in Munich in May, writing boss Luis Enrique’s name into the history books.

They backed that up by reaching the final of the Club World Cup before losing to Chelsea.

The expectation was that they would maintain that trajectory and continue to steamroller all before them this term, but it has not panned out that way.

They did move back to the top of Ligue 1 at the weekend after going into Christmas behind Lens but their hopes of another domestic double were ended by a surprise home defeat to upstart neighbours Paris FC two weeks ago.

Their Champions League campaign has not been without problems either.

A defeat at home to Bayern Munich can be explained away but a loss at Sporting CP and a goalless draw at Athletic Bilbao were poor results for a squad as talented as PSG’s.

Despite all that, however, they enter the final round of fixtures in sixth place and needing three points against Newcastle to make sure of progression.

Eddie Howe’s side will arrive in the French capital ahead of a pivotal week in their season. Tomorrow’s game is followed by a weekend trip to Liverpool in the Premier League before they try to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup at Manchester City.

Given their problems away from home this season – they have won twice on the road in the Premier League and once in the Champions League – it seems a tall order for them to spring a surprise in any of those three encounters.

Howe has been receiving plenty of abuse on social media but it seems unlikely the club’s Saudi Arabian owners will act even if the calls grow louder for change from a demanding fan base.

Team News for PSG v Newcastle

PSG could welcome back Achraf Hakimi after AFCON while João Neves, Fabian Ruiz and Nuno Mendes all trained yesterday. New signing Dro Fernandez is not in the squad.

Newcastle have doubts over midfield duo Bruno Guimaraes, who missed Sunday’s defeat to Aston Villa, and Joelinton. Jacob Murphy, Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles remain sidelined.

Predicted line-ups for PSG v Newcastle

PSG: Chevalier; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Vitinha, Ruiz, Neves; Kvaratskhelia, Barcola, Dembele

Newcastle: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Miley; Barnes, Gordon, Wissa

How to watch PSG v Newcastle: TV and online streams

PSG versus Newcastle kicks off at 8pm UK time tomorrow night. It is being shown on TNT Sports in the UK and can be streamed via the discovery+ app.

To watch elsewhere in the world, click HERE to find your local rights holder.

Stats for PSG v Newcastle

• Newcastle have faced French opposition away from home on nine previous occasions, winning once
• PSG have lost two of their last four Champions League matches (W1 D1), as many as in their previous 15 combined (W13 L2)