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PSG v Manchester City Match Preview
For so long it has been said that the ‘Holy Grail’ for Paris Saint-Germain was to win the Champions League and, yet, it seems further away than ever this season.
Despite years of heavy investment from the club’s Qatari owners – and the best efforts of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe – the trophy has never landed in the French capital.
A new approach, with the focus on homegrown players, hasn’t really worked and Luis Enrique’s side go into tomorrow night’s home game with Manchester City in 25th place in the expanded table. Should they finish there after matchday eight, they will be out of the competition and the wait would go on for another year.
A look at their two remaining games shows that this is a distinct possibility.
First up are a City side seemingly back on track after a woeful run of form before Christmas. The English champions are languishing in 22nd place and in need of wins themselves if they are to secure a playoff spot. Their 6-0 demolition of Ipswich at the weekend and, perhaps just as important, the swagger they showed at Portman Road suggested Pep Guardiola has found a fix and they should finish the season strongly.
After City comes a trip to a Stuttgart side that sit fourth in the Bundesliga and who will likely be scrapping for points.
PSG v Manchester City Team News
PSG defender Marquinhos could return from a groin problem and Ousmane Dembele is fit after illness.
New signing Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia is not eligible.
Nathan Ake missed the weekend clash with Ipswich due to injury and his availability is not known. Ruben Dias is back but John Stones remains sidelined.
Kyle Walker is in the process of negotiating a move away from the Etihad, meaning Matheus Nunes could start again at right-back.
PSG v Manchester City Expected Line-ups
PSG: Donnarumma; Akimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Barcola, Asensio, Dembele; Ramos
Manchester City: Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Silva; Foden, De Bruyne, Doku, Haaland
How to Watch PSG v Manchester City
The game will be broadcast on TNT Sports 1 and can be streamed via the Discovery+ app.
The Stats
- In 14 of the last 16 Paris Saint-Germain matches in the Champions League, the total number of goals was under 3.5
- In 12 of the last 14 Paris Saint-Germain home matches in the Champions League, the total number of goals was under 3.5
- In 14 of the last 16 Manchester City matches in the Champions League, the total number of goals was over 2.5
- In 7 of the last 8 Manchester City away matches in the Champions League, the total number of goals was over 3.5
- Manchester City have lost 7 of the last 9 away matches while scoring less than 1.5 goals
Prediction for PSG v Manchester City
It is a positive for the revamped competition that two heavyweights are slugging it out to potentially avoid an early exit.
And both come in in excellent form. PSG have won seven of their last eight, the other being a 1-1 Coupe de France draw at Lens that saw them progress on penalties while City have won four of their last five.
If Marquinhos is fit to return that will be a big boost for the home side given City’s firepower. Likewise Ruben Dias makes a huge difference for City when available.
The one result that will do neither side any real favours is a draw, meaning both are likely to go for the three points.
Therefore, we’re going for a high-scoring game that will just fall in PSG’s favour.
It should be a cracker but we think it’ll end: PSG 3-2 Manchester City
