The final night of the Champions League league phase is here, as all 36 teams are in action at 8pm to decide their fate.
There are several permutations at play, but the situation is relatively simple for Newcastle as we travel to face holders PSG at the Parc des Princes.
Pull of a historic win in Paris and we’ll go straight into the knockouts via a top 8 finish. Draw and it’s unlikely to be enough (due to the number of teams tied on 13 points with winnable games), meaning we’d secure a seeded play-off spot between 9th and 16th. Lose and the same would be true, highlighting the importance of that 3-0 win over PSV last week.
It’s a huge test of our credentials, one of the toughest away trips in world football and an opportunity to right the wrongs of two seasons ago, where VAR denied us what would’ve been arguably our greatest away win in Europe.
Speaking to the media ahead of the game, Eddie Howe had this to say:
“We have to try and enjoy every moment; they are so precious. We want to enjoy it, experience all the highs and lows it brings. We are all determined to do as well as we can, this will be a great game for us tomorrow, we want to win, we are conditioned to be that way.”
“The bigger the game, the harder the challenge, the more you must rise to it. There have been several questions asked about our away form, to handle pressure, to be resilient.
“This will be a really good game to try and answer some questions and be effective in every environment that we play. We will set up the team to do that and then will need them to play at their maximum.”
Bruno Guimaraes (ankle) is facing a late fitness test, but Joelinton has no travelled and will be out for a “few weeks.” Jacob Murphy is back in training and looks set to return.
Dan Burn and Will Osula are back in the squad once again, Fabian Schar and Tino Livramento are out long term, while Emil Krafth will miss out once again alongside Jamaal Lascelles.
For PSG, Achraf Hakimi, João Neves and Nuno Mendes are back in their squad, but Fabian Ruiz and Kang-In Lee are out for the Ligue 1 leaders.
(3-4-3): Pope – Thiaw, Botman, Burn – Murphy, Bruno, Tonali, Hall – Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon.
OUT: Trippier, Joelinton, Miley, Wissa, Barnes.
IN: Burn, Murphy, Bruno, Elanga, Woltemade.
A tough one to call, but 35-year-old Trippier can’t play four games in 10 days, Murphy is a wing-back option and Burn’s return could see us move to a back three, with Bruno in midfield and the pace of Elanga and Gordon either side of Woltemade giving us genuine outlets on the break.
I think we’ll be organised, competitive and look to hit this PSG side on the counter, but will that be enough?
I fear we’ll be outgunned by the likes of Kvaratskhelia, Doue and Dembele, with Hakimi’s return at right-back another weapon for the holders; who should be just as motivated with their spot in the top 8 also at risk.
Hoping for a shock victory, but I’m struggling to see past a home win. Prove me wrong, lads!
Prediction: PSG 2-1 Newcastle
Howay the lads!
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