Newcastle United is gearing up for an electrifying showdown at St. James' Park, hosting Paris Saint-Germain in the exciting second round of the Champions League.
Newcastle's recent performance has been nothing short of impressive. They secured a stunning victory against the star-studded Manchester City in the EFL Cup. Additionally, in the Premier League, they are currently riding high on a three-game winning streak.
On the other hand, PSG kicked off their Champions League campaign with a solid 2-0 win against Borussia Dortmund. However, their domestic form has been a bit shaky, as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Clermont in their most recent Ligue 1 match. This marked the fourth time in their last seven league matches that they dropped valuable points. The top bookmakers in India have fantastic Champions League odds with them.
With an impressive shot-on-target rate of 35.7%, Mbappe is undoubtedly the prime contender to find the back of the net in this match.
The betting tip is...
Mbappe to score a goal
60 %
40 %
Newcastle's history against French opponents hasn't been stellar, with just two wins, four losses, and four draws in their past encounters. Unfortunately, they'll also be missing key players like Barnes, Botman, Joelinton, and Willock due to injuries.
However, there's a silver lining in the form of their goalkeeper, Nick Pope. He's been an absolute standout, making an impressive 25 saves while only conceding 7 goals. Pope has undoubtedly been the star player for Newcastle this season.
Anderson is expected to start for Newcastle.
Predicted Lineup: Nick Pope, Sandro Tonali, Joelinton, Miguel Almirón, Alexander Isak, Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schär, Matt Targett, Lewis Hall, Bruno Guimarães, Sean Longstaff.
PSG has had its fair share of encounters with Premier League teams, with their most recent clash against Manchester City during the group stage of the 2021-2022 Champions League. Interestingly, both teams secured victories on their home turf during that competition.
However, PSG is facing some challenges this time around. Keylor Navas, Sergio Rico, Nuno Mendes, Marco Asensio, and Presnel Kimpembe, all key players, find themselves sidelined due to injuries. This absence could prove to be a significant hurdle for PSG in the upcoming match.
Goncalo Ramos is expected to start for PSG.
Predicted Lineup: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Vitinha, Warren Zaire-Emery, Goncalo Ramos, Randal Kolo Muani, Kylian Mbappé, Achraf Hakimi, Lucas Hernández, Milan Skriniar, Marquinhos, Manuel Ugarte.
Paris Saint-Germain is currently in exceptional form, thanks to their dynamic duo of K. Mbappe and A. Hakimi, who form a lethal attacking force capable of dismantling any opponent. Mbappe, with an impressive 35.7% shots-on-target rate and 8 goals in all competitions, stands out as the biggest threat to Newcastle United. PSG's average possession of a formidable 71.86% suggests they are likely to dominate the game.
However, let's not underestimate Newcastle United on their best days. Alexander Isak, with a solid 9.8% shots-on-target rate, and their goalkeeper Nick Pope, who has made an impressive 25 saves, will undoubtedly pose a challenge for PSG. Nevertheless, it's undeniable that PSG possesses a superior squad filled with remarkable talent and tactical prowess, making them the clear favorites to emerge victorious in this thrilling encounter.
