The Hard Tackle list three players who can singlehandedly influence the tie when PSG and Newcastle United clash on Tuesday.
The UEFA Champions League group stage resumes later today with Matchday 5 of the group stage. We are inching closer to knowing the qualifiers for the Round of 16. But Group F is evenly poised, with only three points separating the four teams. One of the fixtures will have PSG hosting Newcastle United at Parc des Princes.
Group F has produced some eye-catching results thus far, with PSG suffering two shock defeats. Newcastle United inflicted a heavy loss at St. James’ Park, while AC Milan beat Les Parisiens on Matchday 4. But while the Ligue 1 champions have struggled on the road, they have been imperious at home.
On the other hand, Newcastle United’s stock has fallen since the shock 4-1 win over PSG. They have lost back-to-back games to Borussia Dortmund, falling to the bottom of Group F. But the Magpies should be brimming with confidence after handsomely beating Chelsea this past weekend.
Newcastle’s surprise win over PSG in the reverse fixture has raised the expectations at the Tyneside club. But to repeatedly get past a high-profile opponent takes some individual brilliance. That also holds true for PSG, and with that in mind, The Hard Tackle lists three players who can have a positive impact on Tuesday’s fixture.
Kylian Mbappe
We usually stray clear of going with the obvious picks in such features. But such has been Kylian Mbappe’s influence on PSG’s upturn in form and fortunes that we cannot help but go ahead with him as our first choice.
The French international was slow off the blocks after missing the pre-season campaign with PSG. That also reflected in some of Les Parisiens’ poor results in the first few months of the 2023/24 season. But he has had a transformational effect in recent weeks, inspiring PSG to return to the top of Ligue 1.
All this while, Mbappe has not let the uncertainties surrounding his future affect him. The 24-year-old, in the final year of his contract, has captured the attention of Chelsea, Manchester United, and Liverpool, among others. But Mbappe remains focused on the job at hand on the pitch with his club and country.
With all four teams likely to take the fight for the top two places to Matchday 6, the hosts will need to remain on top of their game. And Mbappe should deliver the goods for PSG to get past Newcastle United on Tuesday before taking on Borussia Dortmund next month.
Alexander Isak
As is usually the case in such features, we pick two players from the underdog team to round off the list. So, the next two choices come from Newcastle United, who will face a tall order to repeat the heroics from the reverse fixture. First up is Alexander Isak.
The Swedish international has struggled with fitness issues since joining Newcastle United from Real Sociedad last year. But he has always made his mark whenever he is fit and available to turn out for the Tyneside outfit.
The 2023/24 season has been no different, as he has spent a considerable period on the sidelines. But Isak has returned with a bang and was one of four scorers as Newcastle United dismantled Chelsea with a 4-1 win this past weekend.
So the 24-year-old heads into the latest UEFA Champions League fixture in good form. And the Magpies need him at his best on Tuesday for them to get past Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes this week.
Anthony Gordon
Anthony Gordon – 2023/24 so far@anthonygordon pic.twitter.com/kxZeZLiCt9
— ☔️ (@lafodance) November 25, 2023
We round off our list with another Newcastle United attacker. While players like Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton will hold the key in the middle of the park, Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schar need to be at their best at the back. But we have gone ahead with Anthony Gordon as our last pick for this game.
Newcastle United will have to outscore PSG on Tuesday to grab all three points, as choking the hosts will unlikely be an option at Parc des Princes. So, while Alexander Isak’s output will hold the key, Anthony Gordon also needs to be at his best this midweek.
The Englishman has been excellent in the Premier League this season, amassing five goals and three assists in 12 appearances thus far. Gordon was superb this past weekend as Newcastle United cruised to a 4-1 win over Chelsea, with the youngster being the architect of the triumph. But he has yet to get off the mark in the UEFA Champions League.
What better occasion to score your first goal in Europe’s premier club competition than by scripting a big win over PSG? So, the stage is set for Gordon to produce a special performance and guide Newcastle United to a critical victory this week.
