The stage is set, PSG have been here before
Off the back of the breakaway league debacle we have what many were already calling ‘El Cashico’, two topflight clubs transformed into seasoned winners by foreign billionaire owners. It is not one for the purists but the talent on show must excite all football fans. Kylian Mbappe has already ripped Barcelona to shreds in the knockout stages and having overcome the tournament favourite, Bayern Munich, in the previous round there will be no lack of belief from Mauricio Pochettino’s men. Paris Saint-Germain are a relatively new name along with Manchester City at this stage of the Champions League but have experience behind them after reaching the final last year.
League form
Both sides are looking domestically, though the hosts are being made to work a lot harder than Manchester City to win their respective league. The Parisians trail Lille by one point in Ligue 1 whereas it is only a matter of time before Pep Guardiola’s men are mathematically Premier League champions. In terms of expected goals underlying process, it does not offer as much insight nor act as a predictive metric when you get to the knockout stages and especially as deep as the semi finals. Week in week out City are the more consistent outfit but to a man PSG have been here and done it before where the visitors have not.
The away goals rule often puts the impetus on the away to grab the tie by the scruff of the neck and in that give Guardiola’s men the opportunity to break down a far from sparkling PSG backline. Having just won the EFL Cup at Wembley morale in the camp will be very high however there is no comparison in English football to defending against Mbappe and Neymar. City’s title procession has been built off of solid foundations and that is sure to be put to the test on Wednesday evening.
Goals?
If the deadlock is broken early then I see this one bursting into life but otherwise it could be a quiet first leg. I am not confident in a goals angle.
- PSG have scored in eight of 10.
- PSG have conceded in eight of 10.
- PSG have seen both teams score in six of 10.
- PSG have seen over 2.5 goals in eight of 10.
- City have scored in nine of 10.
- City have conceded in five of 10.
- City have seen both teams score in four of 10.
- City have seen over 2.5 goals in four of 10.
City have a better side, PSG have better individuals it will be a captivating battle.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Poor defending hurts PSG, catalysts of their own downfall to concede two sloppy goals. 2-1 City.