Newcastle vs PSG LIVE: Champions League team news and line-ups as Kylian Mbappe starts

As Newcastle United prepare for their first Champions League home match in over 20 years, their owners have far bigger plans, that could well supersede Europe’s premier competition for decades.

The Public Investment Fund and wider Saudi Pro League are targeting Fifa’s first expanded 32-team Club World Cup, to take place in the USA in 2025, to make a major statement of their football power. Such ambitions would also have the added effect of amplifying the prestige of the revised tournament, especially if the Saudi Pro League’s teams at that point feature an even greater proportion of the world’s best players, so as to make it a rival to the Champions League

The next phase of a plan that is both a sporting project and a sportswashing project comes as Uefa have made it clear that Saudi Arabian clubs will not be allowed cross confederations to enter their competitions. Internal and informal discussions about the issue involved arguments over whether allowing such a transcontinental switch would facilitate some form of cost control given the disruptive nature of Saudi spending in the last window, but it was ultimately felt this would be an integration similar to LIV Golf. Uefa would also lose the unique leverage that comes with the Champions League.

Newcastle’s last games against French opponents came in the 2012/13 Europa League group stage, when they beat Bordeaux 3-0 at home on Matchday 2 only to lose 2-0 in France on Matchday 6.

That victory on Tyneside was Newcastle’s first against Ligue 1 visitors since a 2-0 defeat of Metz in the 1996/97 Uefa Cup third round second leg; their record in between those two wins was two draws and one defeat.

This is a first-ever meeting between Newcastle and Paris in a Uefa competition, and it’s an important one.

Having won their opener against Borussia Dortmund, the visitors have a chance to really take control of proceedings in Group F with three more points if they win this evening.

Newcastle have lost only two of their last 19 Uefa club competition group stage matches with 10 wins and seven draws during that streak.

Will PSG inflict a third loss on the Magpies tonight?

Kylian Mbappe starts for PSG tonight. He’s on the left of a three man forward line including Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo-Muani.

PSG XI: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Skriniar, Hernandez; Dembele, Ugarte, Zaire-Emery; Kolo-Muani, Goncalo Ramos, Mbappe

Newcastle followed up their goalless draw at Milan by winning 8-0 at Sheffield United in the Premier League, showing their ability to balance to domestic and European commitments.

“Three games, three clean sheets, really good week,” summarised defender Dan Burn. “We were built on being solid defensively last season so it’s great to get back to that.”

Paris also followed up a good Champions League result – the 2-0 victory against Dortmund – with an excellent domestic showing as they beat Marseille 4-0, although Kylian Mbappé limped off injured.

Sky Sports are reporting that some PSG fans, calling themselves Ultras, threw missles and bottles at the police as they approached St. James’ Park.

The incident reportedly passed without any serious injuries and things have settled down as the fans, from both clubs, head to the ground before kick off.

“Newcastle are the team that nobody wanted from Pot 4,” Paris Saint-Germain boss, Luis Enrique, declared yesterday in reference to the draw for the Champions League group stage.

“They work well when they have the ball and press well when they don’t. They’re a top side and they’ll get great support from their fans.”

Newcastle XI: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Lascelles, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Tonali; Almiron, Isak, Gordon.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is facing an injury crisis ahead of Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with Paris St Germain.

The 45-year-old oversaw a third successive Premier League win with a 2-0 defeat of Burnley at St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon, but did so having lost Harvey Barnes for at least three months while facing up to the prospect of being without key defender Sven Botman, inspirational midfielder Joelinton and England striker Callum Wilson for the clash with the French champions.

Head coach Howe said: “You can add Joe Willock to that list, so it’s a difficult moment for us injury wise. It’s that kind of season for us, with the physical demands we’re going to face.”