PSG v Barcelona – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

PSG host Barcelona Both sides made light work of their last-16 ties by beating Real Sociedad and Napoli respectively. The hosts are 27 matches unbeaten whilst Blaugrana haven’t lost in 11 fixtures.

PSG Form

PSG’s last defeat was back in November. They’ve since won 19 and drawn eight of 27 fixtures. They reached this stage by beating Real Sociedad 2-0 at home and then 2-1 in Spain in the second leg. A 2-2 draw at home to Reims followed that latter victory.

A 3-1 cup win vs Nice and a 6-2 thrashing of Montpellier followed. The Parisians cruised to a 2-0 win at Marseille despite playing 50 minutes with ten men. A 1-0 home win over Rennes in the Coupe de France saw PSG reach the final. On Saturday, they rested a plethora of players in a 1-1 home draw vs bottom-placed Clermont Foot. PSG had two 17-year-olds in their starting XI.

PSG Team News

Coach Luis Enrique will recall all of his big hitters for this match. Milan Skriniar has finally returned from a long injury to boost defensive options. Warren Zaire-Emery is doubtful but should shake off a knock. He may be used at right back with Achraf Hakimi suspended for this first leg.

They will be without injured winger Bradley Barcola and defenders Layvin Kurzawa and Presnel Kimpembe. PSG will have to choose between Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani for one place in attack.

PSG Motivation

At home, PSG are excellent in this competition. With the league title in the bag, 100% of their focus is on this competition.

They will attack Barcelona and look for a decent first-leg lead. Mbappe and Luis Enrique will have Spanish eyes on them and will be eager to impress.

Barcelona Form

Two heavy losses with nine goals leaked saw Xavi announce his departure in May. That has spurred the squad on to a strong turnaround in form. Their last 11 matches have seen eight wins and three draws. They reached this stage after a 4-2 aggregate win over Napoli after a 1-1 first-leg draw.

The second leg saw a strong home performance with 25 shots and 2.73 xG in a 3-1 home victory. Just five days later, they focused themselves on ruthlessly taking their chances in a 3-0 win away at Atletico Madrid. They last played 11 days ago, beating ten-man Las Palmas 1-0 at home.

Barcelona Team News

Gavi and Alejandro Balde are set to be out for the rest of the season. Pedri is back in training, but this match may come too soon for him to start. Marcos Alonso is available after injury.

Andreas Christensen is doubtful with a niggling Achilles complaint, but Frenkie De Jong came through a training match and is fit to start. Raphinha may get the nod down the left wing.

Barcelona Motivation

Barca are eight points off Real Madrid in La Liga so full focus can go on Europe. They’ve had 11 days to rest and recover for this match.

Expect a relatively disciplined and conservative approach. They would be delighted to take a draw away from Paris.

Key Stats

PSG are 27 matches unbeaten (19 wins)

PSG have won 10 of their last 12 home matches in the Champions League.

PSG have conceded in 5 of their last 8 home UCL matches.

Barcelona are unbeaten in 12 matches (9 wins, 3 draws)

Barcelona have kept 5 clean sheets in their last 6 matches.

Verdict

This match should see both sides on target. PSG are strong at Parc des Princes and should take the victory. Mbappe is back to score against the rivals of Real Madrid, the club tipped to sign him in the summer.