With a place in the last 16 on the line, Newcastle head to the French capital to take on Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night’s must-win Champions League showdown.
The stakes are as high as ever for the Magpies, who need to come away with all three points to guarantee their place in the knockout rounds without going through the play-offs.
Newcastle head into this fixture sitting 7th in the league phase ranking, level on 13 points and goal difference with tonight’s hosts.
The Magpies are on the brink of history as they prepare to feature in the Champions League knockout rounds for the first time in their storied history.
However, results have not always gone their way in recent weeks.
They have won just one of their last four (D1, L2) matches across all tournaments and failed to score in three of those games. The Magpies have also struggled away from home.
Their only win in the last five away matches came in the Premier League, a thumping 3-1 victory over relegation-threatened Burnley in late December.
Newcastle’s task against PSG is further complicated by the fact that they’ve never beaten a Ligue 1 team on French soil in the Champions League.
How Newcastle could line up
Howe could make at least three changes from the side that lost to Villa over the weekend.
Nick Pope should keep his spot in goal, but there could be a minor tweak to the backline with Dan Burn coming in for Malick Thiaw.
The Englishman will likely partner Sven Botman at the heart of the defence while Kieran Trippier and Lewis Hall line up on the flanks.
Joelinto has been ruled out for a few weeks with a groin injury. But Guimaraes, who has been struggling with a knock, could return to the XI alongside Sandro Tonali and Lewis Miley.
Harvey Barnes struggled to find his feet against Villa, and it could cost him his spot in the XI, with Anthony Elanga likely given the nod alongside Yoane Wissa and Anthony Gordon.
