Victory against sixth-placed PSG would elevate Newcastle into the top four –ensuring a second leg at home in the last 16 and quarter-finals – if two of Real Madrid, Liverpool and Tottenham slip up.
Regardless, a win for Newcastle will surely be enough for the top eight. To displace them, at least three other sides currently on the same points would need victories by improbable scorelines.
The Magpies have little margin for error though as, realistically, they're in catching range of nine sides (not 10, as Dortmund play Inter so can't both overtake Newcastle). A draw would leave them relying on only one of the chasing pack winning – or two if Tottenham lose – while defeat would make it unrealistic for Eddie Howe's side to stay in the top eight.
Newcastle have all but guaranteed a top-16 finish.
Did you know?
- Newcastle have only won three away games from 14 in all competitions this season, meaning it will be a big ask against the champions in Paris.
- In Anthony Gordon (six) and Harvey Barnes (five), Newcastle have two of the top eight scorers in the competition.
Key PSG players – Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha
Dembele won the 2025 Ballon d'Or after 35 goals in 53 appearances last season. A number of fitness issues have disrupted his current season, but he has started to show promising signs once again with five goals in his last five starts.
Dembele was also linked with Newcastle in January 2022 while struggling at Barcelona. He also tweeted 'what a player' about former Newcastle forward Ayoze Perez in 2014 after a goal he scored against Everton.
Another one to watch is Vitinha, who was on loan at Wolves five years ago but has made remarkable progress since. Spurs boss Thomas Frank predicted he would win the Ballon d'Or in 2026 after a hat-trick in a 5-3 win over Spurs earlier this campaign.
PSG squad summary
The Ligue 1 side have an elite young squad. They've fielded two of the five youngest XIs in this year's competition. Star midfielder Joao Neves has missed the last three matches with 'muscle discomfort'.
