Newcastle United are in brilliant form right now, but we will discover just how good a team they are in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Magpies welcome PSG to St James’ Park on Wednesday night, in what will be the club’s first home game in the competition since 2003.
It is going to be an incredible occasion, and one that the Newcastle players should absolutely relish.
They did brilliantly to get a point in their Champions League opener against AC Milan, but this game is different. It is at St James’ Park. It is on our own turf, and it is a chance to do something special.
However, Howe has problems going into the game, as his squad is littered with injuries. With that in mind, this is the Newcastle team we predict will start against PSG
Big opportunity for Jamaal Lascelles against PSG
With Sven Botman set to miss the game, Newcastle will not be able to name their usual defence against Paris Saint-Germain.
That looks like it will present Jamaal Lascelles with an opportunity to lead the team out in a Champions League game and start at centre-back alongside Fabian Schar.
Lascelles has started our last two games and done well, and looks more likely to start than Matt Targett. He is the other alternative, and his involvement would lead to Dan Burn playing in the middle of defence.
However, we expect that Howe is going to go with Lascelles.
Sandro Tonali starts for Newcastle
Having been on the bench at the weekend, Sandro Tonali should return to the midfield for the Champions League clash with Luis Enrique’s side.
He is more suited to the European games, and should take Elliot Anderson’s place in the middle of the park. While the 20-year-old has been excellent as of late, he will likely be used off the bench on Wednesday night.
With Tonali back in the middle, he will be joined by Sean Longstaff and Bruno Guimaraes, who has backed Newcastle to win against PSG.
Anthony Gordon to go all out in the Champions League
Howe will likely go with the same front three that started the 2-0 win over Burnley on Saturday.
That is largely because of injury, with Harvey Barnes and Callum Wilson out injured.
One player who will definitely start is Anthony Gordon, and he will be expected to go all out in the Champions League. That is because he is suspended for this weekend’s Premier League game, so can afford to give everything he’s got against the Ligue 1 giants.
The £45million man was quiet versus AC Milan, but will hope to be more influential during his second ever Champions League appearance.
Predicted XI vs PSG: Pope; Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Burn; Longstaff, Bruno, Tonali; Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
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