Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Prediction: PSG vs Borussia Dortmund

Verdict: Kylian Mbappe & Erling Haaland to score anytime

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Bet365

Hoping to book their spot in the quarter-final of this year’s Champions League after their 2-1 win a fortnight ago, Borussia Dortmund will make the trip to a spectator-less Parc des Princes on Wednesday night.

PSG

Starting with the hosts, while a worrying blip midway through February may have highlighted PSG vulnerabilities this season, Thomas Tuchel’s men have bounced back in some style. Despite still dealing with some worrying issues at the back and managing to record just a sole clean sheet in their last eight appearances, the former Borussia Dortmund boss saw his side pick up a thumping 5-1 win over Lyon in the Coupe de France last week. Now in the midst of a three-match winning run across all competitions and comfortably on course to lift another Ligue 1 title this season, Les Parisiens have also continued to shine in the final third. Scoring a quartet of goals in their last three straight matches at the Parc des Princes, PSG have recorded a stunning 13 goals on their three-match winning run. Desperate to turn around the deficit on Wednesday night, there is no doubt that fans around Paris will be calling on the red-hot Kylian Mbappe to lead their charge in midweek. Bagging a hat-trick against Lyon seven days ago, the French starlet has now found the net in his last three appearances on the bounce, recording six goals on his recent purple patch.

Team News

PSG will be unable to call upon both without Thomas Meunier and key midfielder Marco Verratti due to suspension.

Elsewhere, despite missing training on Monday due to a sore throat, attacking MVP Kylian Mbappé is likely to start for Tuchel’s side on Wednesday night.

Borussia Dortmund

As for the visitors, picking up what could be a crucial 2-1 win away at Borussia Mönchengladbach over the weekend, Dortmund find the mood in their camp at a continued high. Still in the Bundesliga title picture and in the midst of a five-match winning run across all competitions, Lucien Farve’s side will undoubtedly still be boosted by their shock 2-1 win over PSG at Signal-Iduna-Park a fortnight ago. With a growing reputation as one of the most exciting teams across Europe, fans around rural Germany will be calling on leading marksman Erling Haaland to finish off the job in Paris on Wednesday. While the Danish sensation may have failed to find the net in back-to-back appearances for the first time since his January switch, the 19-year-old has cemented his spot as one of the standout marksmen in this year’s Champions League. Hitting the ground running after making the move from Red Bull Salzburg, Haaland has already bagged 11 European goals this season and is averaging a goal every 43 minutes. Although BVB might be in the midst of a real purple patch, they have shown some issues on foreign soil this year. Including back-to-back defeats against Inter Milan and Barcelona, Dortmund have lost three of their last four Champions League matches on the road.

Team News

Aside from long term absentee Marco Reus, Borussia Dortmund have no other injury concerns ahead of their trip to Paris.

Key Factors to Consider

  • Including a 2-1 win in Germany a fortnight ago, Borussia Dortmund have won their last five matches on the bounce.
  • However, Lucien Farve’s men have lost three of their last four Champions League matches on the road, including back-to-back defeats against Barcelona and Inter Milan.
  • PSG have won their last three matches on the bounce, scoring 13 goals on that winning run.
  • Kylian Mbappe has scored in his last three matches on the bounce, including a hat-trick against Lyon last week.
  • BVB striker Erling Haaland has scored 11 goals in this year’s Champions League and is averaging a goal every 43 minutes.

Conclusion

On paper, Wednesday’s contest at the Parc des Princes should produce plenty of chances at both ends. With the two sides producing a string of chances out in rural Germany a fortnight ago and continuing to shine in the final third, chances should come thick and fast in midweek. With both sides possessing leading marksmen who are in the midst of their own glittering purple patches, we’re backing both Mbappe and Haaland to extend on their tallies in what should be a lively contest in midweek.

Verdict: Kylian Mbappe & Erling Haaland to score anytime

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Bet365

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tom Dunstan


Formerly of The Independent, Tom has spent the past six years as one of our senior writers and betting experts. Alongside working with numerous publications from across the globe, Tom also graduated from the University of Falmouth in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Digital Media.
Spending almost the past decade working in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, he has also spent time featuring in sports radio. Tom can be followed on Instagram - @iamtomdunstan

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