PSG vs Newcastle Prediction & Betting Tips (28 January)

Reigning European champion, PSG was on track to compete again in this Champions League with initial successes against Atalanta 4-0, FC Barcelona 1-2 and Bayer Leverkusen 2-7. However, the title holders then won only one of their next 4 matches played against Bayern losing 1-2, Tottenham 5-3, Bilbao 0-0 and finally against Sporting 2-1 last week in a show where they should have taken cover more quickly. Despite this bad series, the Ile-de-France residents are still in the top 8 and they therefore have the cards in hand to obtain direct qualification for the 1/8 finals of this competition. At the same time, in the championship, Luis Enrique's gang is still hot on the heels of RC Lens who lead the rankings. Big winners over Lille 3-0, the Parisians will take to the Auxerre field this weekend. Newcastle, for their part, are following in the footsteps of PSG in the standings with exactly the same number of points in their possession.

The English lacked consistency throughout this league phase with defeats against FC Barcelona 1-2 and OM 2-1 and with a draw conceded against Bayer Leverkusen 2-2. But they were still able to emerge victorious in their duels played against Union Saint Gilloise 0-4, Benfica 3-0, Bilbao 2-0 and finally against PSV 3-0 last week, always in front of their home crowd. At the same time, in the Premier League, the Magpies are still in the race for European places. Hanging out against Wolverhampton 0-0, they will have a lot to do next weekend against Aston Villa. 

Absent against Sporting, the captain Hakimi and the very promising winger Mbaye, who were concerned by the CAN final, should have found the Parisian squad. Replacement defender Hernandez could return from suspension while the midfielder Joao Neves is hoped for. On the other hand, goalkeeper n°2 Safonov, the midfielder used with parsimony Lee Kang-in and the young Ndjantou will undoubtedly be forced to pass their turn. At the forefront, Ballon d'Or Dembélé (5 goals and 2 assists in L1) should keep his place in the front line even if he lacked precision last week against Sporting.

Disappointing in Lisbon, Désiré Doué (3 goals and 2 assists in L1, 2 goals in C1) could still keep the confidence of Luis Enrique on the right while Kvaratskhelia (3 goals and 3 assists in L1, 3 goals and 2 assists in C1) scored points with his good entry into play marked by a very nice goal. Barcola (6 goals in L1) is also applying. Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha (7 assists in L1, 4 goals in C1) should undoubtedly take their place in the midfield.