PSG have been one of the most entertaining teams to follow in the Champions League this season with 30 goals across their seven games in the competition (4.28 per game). They’ve seen 3+ goals in six of their seven games in the Champions League, with the exception of a 0-0 draw against Athletic Club - which was a game that saw PSG register an xG of 2.22 from 18 shots.

PSG’s three home matches in the Champions League have produced 15 goals, including a 5-3 win over Tottenham. Luis Enrique’s side have covered this goal line themselves in two of their three matches at the Parc Des Princes in the Champions League this term, with the exception of their 2-1 defeat against Bayern Munich.

I can’t see this game being too tight, both sides realistically need three points to have a chance of qualifying for the top eight with the race being so tight for the final six places. Newcastle have also seen 3+ goals in six of their seven games in the Champions League this season and have seen 11 goals across their three away matches in the competition (3.66 per game).

It’s also worth noting that the Champions League is seeing an average of 3.39 goals per game this season, the final matchday last season saw an average of 3.5 goals per game - suggesting that the pressure of the final day leads to healthy goal tallies.

Sandro Tonali has committed 10 fouls across his six appearances in the Champions League this season, working out to an average of 1.67 fouls committed per 90. 

He’s also averaging 0.91 fouls committed per 90 in the Premier League this season, and is set to be the most important figure in Newcastle’s midfield in the absence of Bruno Guimaraes.

Tonali committed two fouls and was shown a yellow card in Newcastle’s most recent Champions League fixture, as they came away 3-0 winners over PSV to set up what is essentially a straight shootout for a place in the top eight of the league phase.

Tonali won’t be faced by the usual midfield trio that we’ve come to associate with PSG, both Ruiz and Neves are doubts for this fixture so Tonali’s likely opponents are Mayulu, Vitinha and Mbaye - a very attacking minded midfield from the hosts. 

Mayulu has featured consistently for PSG in the Champions League this season, winning six fouls across his five starts (1.45 per 90). Mbaye hasn’t featured as much for PSG in the competition, but has still won three fouls across limited minutes (2.76 per 90) showing that both have the potential to draw a foul from Tonali despite not being part of the usual set up from Luis Enrique. 

He ranks 2nd among Newcastle players for shots on target in the Champions League this season with seven, averaging 1.19 per 90 minutes, and has hit the target in six of his seven appearances in the competition.

The only exception came away to Athletic Club, where he was substituted after just 40 minutes. His overall shot volume underlines how consistently he is getting into dangerous positions, registering 16 shots across those seven matches.

Add in the fact he has been Newcastle’s penalty taker in recent games, and a PSG side that tends to hold a high defensive line should suit his game and create further scoring opportunities.

Although he has not committed a foul in his last two matches, that lull follows a run of 11 consecutive games in which he gave away at least one foul, underlining a clear historical tendency.

He could also face a series of awkward one-v-one match-ups, notably against PSG left-back Nuno Mendes, who leads the side for fouls won this season with 32 across all competitions (1.85 per 90), as well as Desire Doue, who has drawn 21 fouls at a rate of 1.93 per 90.

PSG’s wide players are typically direct and dribble aggressively, a style that consistently provokes contact and leaves defenders little margin for error. With Newcastle expected to approach the game aggressively, Trippier is likely to be instructed to get tight to his opponent and engage physically, a mindset that naturally increases the likelihood of fouls being conceded.