Paris Saint-Germain vs Newcastle United Preview, Lineups & Prediction | Champions League Matchday 8
Champions League Matchday 8 features a high-stakes clash at the Parc des Princes as sixth-place Paris Saint-Germain host seventh-place Newcastle United on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET, with both sides aiming to secure a top-eight finish and automatic qualification for the Round of 16.
The clubs lead a group of eight teams, from sixth to 13th in the table, who are level on 13 points entering the final day of the league phase.
This preview covers predicted lineups, injury news, head-to-head history, betting odds and a score prediction for Wednesday's PSG v Newcastle match.
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Newcastle United Head-to-Head Record
Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United have met just twice before dating back to 2023 when Newcastle defeated PSG 4-1 in a group stage match.
The sides played to a 1-1 draw in the subsequent fixture.
Fixture Trivia
Matchday 8 Trivia: Which Newcastle United player has been brandished a yellow card in each of their matches versus Paris Saint-Germain?
Matchday 7 Trivia: Which Inter Milan player converted a penalty to score the lone goal in Inter's 1-0 defeat of Arsenal in 2024?
(Answer to Matchday 8 trivia question revealed in Matchday 9's preview article)
Betting Odds and Predictions for PSG vs. Newcastle Match
UEFA Champions League Odds Comparisons
Moneyline Odds
DraftKings: PSG -185 Draw +360, NEW +450
FanDuel: PSG -200 Draw +360, NEW +490
BetMGM: PSG -190 Draw +360, NEW +425
Bet365: PSG -188 Draw +350, NEW +450
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RECENT FORM
Paris Saint-Germain (WLWLW) are in the midst of an uneven run of form. Across their last five fixtures, les Parisians have fallen in a 2-1 defeat to Sporting CP in their most recent Champions League matchup and were eliminated from the French Cup in a 1-0 loss to Paris FC.
Newcastle United (LWDLW) have failed to score in three of their last five fixtures. Over the bumpy five-match stretch, the Magpies have drawn with Wolverhampton and fallen to Aston Villa and Manchester City without scoring a goal. The Toon defeated PSV Eindhoven 3-0 in their most recent Champions League tilt.
FORMATIONS
Paris Saint-Germain are likely to deploy a 4-3-3 formation under manager Luis Enrique. His high-pressing style demands a high work rate from his outfield players. When in possession, look for PSG's flexibility to flourish as the Parisians transform into a 3-2-5 or 2-3-5 shape with the ball.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is likely to employ his usual tactics and rely upon his experienced midfield to solidify a 4-3-3 shape that focuses on the midfielders as the impetus for the team's attacking and defending successes. To survive the manager's demands, the midfield trio must be willing to play a box-to-box role, assisting in protecting the back four and springing the attack when reclaiming possession.
LINEUP NOTES & INJURY NEWS
Champions League Predicted & Confirmed Lineups
Paris Saint-Germain Injury & Lineup News
Paris Saint-Germain will be forced to contend with absences in the defensive and midfield ranks as they seek to gain the upper hand on Newcastle.
Defensively, Lucas Hernandez (suspension) is serving the final match of his ban after he was suspended for three Champions League games following his red card for violent conduct during the clash against Tottenham. Fellow full-back Achraf Hakimi (discomfort) is a question mark for the clash but deemed fit for a bench role, the club announced. Expect Nuno Mendes to assume the left full-back role, regardless of Hernandez's status. At right full-back, look for Warren Zaire-Emery to deputize in the role for Hakimi before the veteran enters the fray in the second half.
In the midfield, Joao Neves (undisclosed) and Fabian Ruiz (knee) will be game-time decisions for Enrique, though both are expected to pass their fitness tests. After missing three matches due to a muscular issue, Neves was spotted in full team training Monday and is likely to be available Wednesday, the club announced. Ruiz (knee) also took part in team training this week and is not listed on the team's injury report. Anticipate Senny Mayulu, alongside Vitinha, to play a significant role in the midfield-three as it would be unlikely Neves or Ruiz are sufficiently fit for a full 90-minute shift.
Lastly, the clash will come too soon for Kang-In Lee (thigh) and Quentin Ndjantou (hamstring). Neither have made an appearance since PSG's 3-2 win over Metz in mid-December.
Newcastle United Injury & Lineup News
The Magpies will enter the fixture with question marks throughout their midfield ranks and absences across their backline.
The absences of Fabian Schar (ankle) and Valentino Livramento (hamstring) have provided a fresh challenge to Howe as he navigates the January injuries to two key defenders. Schar is set to miss three months after undergoing surgery. Livramento's hamstring injury proved significant after a scan confirmed the full-back would miss the next eight weeks of action, according to Keith Downie of Sky Sports. Schar's absence looks to neatly coincide with the reintegration of fellow central defender Dan Burn who, in Newcastle's 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa, made the bench for the first time since December. Kieran Trippier has assumed the majority of minutes at right full-back in Livramento's absence.
The Magpie midfield trio of Joelinton (groin), Bruno Guimaraes (ankle) and Jacob Murphy (hamstring) are each questionable for Wednesday's clash in Paris. Joelinton was forced off in the 48th minute of Sunday's match against Aston Villa due to an apparent groin injury and was replaced by Jacob Ramsey, a likely stop-gap if Joelinton were unavailable. Guimaraes is traveling to Paris ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash against PSG, according to Craig Hope from the Daily Mail. If Guimaraes is unable to play the full 90 minutes, Lewis Miley would be the likely option to play the midfield role in his stead. Lastly, Murphy has missed four successive fixtures, though hamstring scans have returned inconclusive, according to coach Eddie Howe. Expect to see Murphy rested once more and for Sandro Tonali to slot in adjacent to Jacob Murphy and Miley.
KEY MATCHUP
Nick Woltemade versus Illia Zabarnyi & Marquinhos
If Newcastle are to break through against the defending Champions League winners Wednesday, their skyscraper of a No. 9, Woltemade, will need to outmaneuver les Parisians central defense. Woltemade stands at a commanding 6-6 while he presumed adversaries in aerial duels, Zabarnyi and Marquinhos, stand at 6-2 and 6-0, respectively.
Look for Howe to devise a game-plan through which Newcastle will aim to bring the characteristic physicality of the Premier League to the Ligue 1 leaders by building through the midfield to setup cross after cross into the attacking area. The ability or inability of Zabarnyi and Marquinhos to hold Woltemade at bay will be the fulcrum that tilts the match towards an upset or propels the defending champions to victory.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's blustery pace will be on display Wednesday as he likely matches up against veteran full-back Trippier. With two high-octane midfields dueling in the center of the park, one-on-one attacking opportunities will be available when the ball is quickly sprayed into the wide areas.
Kvaratskhelia has scored three goals and assisted twice over six Champions League appearances (five starts). I back the winger to whizz past the wily veteran Trippier time and again Wednesday en route to his sixth Champions League goal contribution of the campaign.
PREDICTED RESULT
Paris Saint-Germain 2 - Newcastle 1
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Paris Saint-Germain: Feb. 1 at Strasbourg
Newcastle United: Jan. 31 at Liverpool
