Newcastle – Paris SG : Preview & Prediction
At last, Champions League (UCL) soccer returns to St James’ Park after more than two decades, and it does so with a tough assignment for Newcastle United, with the arrival of French giants PSG. This match has a geopolitical plot where the riches of neighboring Saudi Arabia and Qatar clash, but the “Geordies” will be full of confidence as their team goes through an incredible run of five clean sheets in a row (G4, E1).
You only have to go back to last season to find a longer clean sheet streak for Newcastle, and with a draw in Milan and a sensational 8-0 thrashing being part of that period, the Parisians will have their work cut out for them in terms of scoring. However, the “Magpies” have a poor record against French opponents (G3, E4, P6), but with an unbeaten 14-match home record in European competition (G9, E5), history may be on their side.
Similarly to the home side, PSG come into this clash having not conceded in their last three matches (G2, E1), although they were hugely frustrated in a dull draw against Clermont Foot over the weekend. That result left Luis Enrique’s men in fifth place in Ligue 1, but they should be able to bounce back in this fixture after reaching the knockout rounds in each of the last 11 editions of the UCL.
A 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund put them on the right track to their 12th consecutive group stage qualification, however, PSG’s poor 21% win percentage in European away games against English opposition inspires little confidence heading into this visit (G3, E4, P7). Nevertheless, their record in their last 22 matches at European level is respectable (G10, E5, P7), despite still failing to lift the Champions League trophy.
Players to watch: Proving that age is just a number, 33-year-old Kieran Trippier has shone for Newcastle in his last two appearances, recording Flashscores of 8.9 and 9.6 and assisting four goals. He was part of an England side that lost to France 3-2 in 2017, a match in which PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé was assisted by Kylian Mbappé, who has scored five goals in 11 meetings against English clubs in this competition.
Key stat: PSG have failed to win seven of their last nine away games in the UCL, while both teams scored in seven of those matches (G2, E3, P4).
Newcastle – Paris SG : Betting Tips
Newcastle – Win Odds: 2.25
