Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Prediction: PSG vs Manchester City

Verdict: Manchester City win

Best Odds: 7/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

With all eyes turning to Paris on Tuesday night, Manchester City will make the trip to the Parc des Princes when they face off against PSG on Champions League duties.

PSG

Starting with the hosts, while PSG might have seen Lille shockingly snatch their Ligue 1 crown from them last season, the French giants have come flying out the traps this time around. Really completing a squad overhaul during what was a stunning summer transfer marker, Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino has assembled what many from across Europe believe is the best squad on the continent. While the former Tottenham boss might have been unable to call upon six-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi over the weekend, Les Parisiens did secure another routine home victory. Skyrocketing their way to the top of the Ligue 1 table and managing to snatch a remarkable 24 points from their opening eight contests, PSG will now be seeking a Champions League boost in midweek. Despite a squad that is glittering with heavyweight names, Pochettino’s side had to settle for a 1-1 draw away at Club Brugge when they opened their European adventure a fortnight ago.

Team News

Missing PSG last two Ligue 1 games with an injury issue, attacking talisman Lionel Messi is in line to feature on Tuesday night. However, fellow summer arrival Sergio Ramos is not expected to feature in Paris this week.

The duo of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe will spearhead PSG’s charge at the Parc des Princes alongside Messi.

Manchester City

As for the visitors, knowing that they faced what was a real test when they made the trip to Stamford Bridge over the weekend, there is no doubt that Manchester City would have been boosted by an eye-catching display. Laying down what many across the Premier League thought was a clinical marker, the defending English champions managed to land a deserved 1-0 win against Chelsea on the road. Managing to right May’s Champions League final wrong after watching Thomas Tuchel’s side lift their second Champions League crown, Pep Guardiola’s side should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Despite having to settle for a sluggish 0-0 stalemate against Southampton at the Etihad earlier in the month, the Sky Blues have won six of their last seven matchups across all formats. Managing to open their Champions League adventure with that action-packed 6-3 win at home against RB Leipzig a fortnight ago, City will be looking to lay down a marker here.

Team News

Making their returns at Stamford Bridge in Saturday’s 1-0 win, the duo of Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne are expected to retain their spot in Pep Guardiola’s side at the Parc des Princes.

However, the injured duo of Ilkay Gundogan and Oleksandr Zinchenko are expected to once again miss out on Tuesday night.

Key Factors to Consider

    • When the two sides faced off in the Champions League semi-final last season, Manchester City picked up a 4-1 aggregate win.
    • PSG have won all eight of their Ligue 1 contests since opening the 2021/22 campaign.
    • The Sky Blues are enjoying a seven-match unbeaten run across all formats, recording six wins and a single draw.
    • Tuesday’s hosts have failed to win any of their last three Champions League contests at the Parc des Princes.
    • Pep Guardiola’s side have conceded just a single Premier League goal since opening the 2021/22 campaign.

    Conclusion

    While PSG might be enduring a real domestic purple patch since opening the 2021/22 campaign, Mauricio Pochettino’s stacked squad should face a stern test on home soil this week. Landing that eye-catching 1-0 win away at defending European champions Chelsea on Saturday lunchtime, the Sky Blues will have their sights set on laying down another Champions League marker here. Securing a 4-1 aggregate win when they faced off against PSG in the semi-final of last season’s European run, we’re backing Manchester City to pick up a real Champions League scalp in Paris.

    Verdict: Manchester City win

    Best Odds: 7/5

    Bookmaker: Unibet

    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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