PSG vs Newcastle: Battle for Champions League top eight reaches climax
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Parisian Pride meets Premier League power at Parc des Princes
The final matchday of the League Phase in this season’s Champions League is here, and to avoid last-minute controversy, UEFA has implemented a simultaneous kickoff, with all 18 fixtures across Europe set to get underway at 20:00 GMT. All the matches are covered in our Champions League predictions.
Heading into MD8 of the UCL, only leaders Arsenal (21 points) and second-placed Bayern Munich (18 points) are guaranteed a spot in the Round of 16, while the remaining six teams in the upper echelon of the table will have to battle to remain in those coveted top eight positions.
One of the most high-profile matchups of the night comes from the iconic Parc des Princes, where reigning European kings Paris Saint-Germain face Newcastle United, and we’re expecting a fierce contest here, as explained in our PSG vs Newcastle prediction.
Les Parisiens and the Magpies are in sixth and seventh place, respectively, coming into this clash, and they are two of eight teams currently locked on 13 points each. Indeed, any team up to 16th-placed Borussia Dortmund (11 points) can still clinch direct qualification to the last 16.
A victory for either side in Paris tonight will guarantee that they will finish in the top eight, while a draw could still be enough depending on results elsewhere. However, given how tightly compact the standings are, one side will almost certainly be forced to go through the Playoffs next month.
PSG and Newcastle met in the group stage of the UCL back during the old format in 2023-24, and they played to a 1-1 draw here in Paris before the Geordies romped to a 4-1 victory back at St. James’ Park in the reverse fixture.
Luis Enrique’s side have a good record against English opposition, though, winning five of their last seven matches against such opposition (D1 L1). Eddie Howe’s charges, meanwhile, have only managed one win in nine away games against French teams in UEFA competitions (D3 L5)
PSG vs Newcastle: Key players and stats ahead of MD8
Starting with the hosts, Ousmane Dembele is back to full fitness, and in recent weeks, he has been showing the type of form that earned him the 2025 Ballon d’Or for scoring a sensational 35 goals in 53 appearances and leading PSG to their first Champions League title.
Since the start of last year, Dembele has recorded 15 goal contributions in 15 UCL appearances and enters this match having notched up five goal contributions in his last four league games, including an assist over the weekend that took the Red and Blue’s back to the top of the Ligue 1 standings.
Vitinha has been the champ’s standout performer in Europe this season and leads the team with four goals, followed by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on three. Morocco’s skipper Achraf Hakimi leads the assists ranks with three, while Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola add even more firepower to Enrique’s attack.
Over to the visitors, and Anthony Gordon is having an incredible season in Europe’s elite club competition. The England international has netted six times in seven games (plus two assists), and is now the club’s joint top-scorer in the UCL alongside the legendary Alan Shearer.
Harvey Barnes is having his most productive season since arriving at St. James’ Park, now on five goals in the League Phase. He has found the back of the net 12 times across all competitions, his second-best haul in a single season since his time at Leicester in 2020-21 and 2022-23 (13 goals).
Finally, it could be a big night for Yoanne Wissa, who is reminding onlookers why Newcastle splashed out over £50m to sign him from Brentford. In his first UCL start, the DR Congo international scored inside the first 10 minutes and set up the team’s second en route to a thumping 3-0 victory over PSV last week.
PSG vs Newcastle: Match information
Date: January 28, 2026
Time: 20:00 GMT
Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris
How to watch: Canal+ (France), TNT Sports (UK), or via our Champions League livescore
Referee: Slavo Vincic (SVN)
Assistants: Tomaz Klancnik, Andraz Kovacic, Christian Dingert (VAR), David Smajc (fourth official)
