Verdict: PSG win
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Luckster
In what is a heavyweight Champions League showdown from the French capital on Wednesday night, PSG will welcome AC Milan to the Parc des Princes.
PSG
Starting with the hosts, coming under a huge amount of scrutiny following their infamous 4-1 drumming at the hands of Newcastle last month, PSG will know that they face a crucial contest here. However, marking their return from October’s international break with a thumping display over the weekend as they claimed a routine 3-0 romp at home against Strasbourg, Luis Enrique’s side will be desperate to produce a repeat performance on Wednesday night. Although the former Barcelona boss might have seen his superstar squad struggle to find much stability when opening the 2023/24 campaign, PSG do appear to have turned a recent corner. Heading into the fortnight interval with an eye-catching 3-1 victory away at Rennes, it should also be noted that Enrique’s men have suffered just a single Champions League defeat in the French capital from their previous nine showdowns.
Team News
Still dealing with a recent foot injury and not making a single PSG appearance since the start of September, Enrique’s side will once again be without ex-Real Madrid forward Marco Asensio here. Likewise, the French heavyweights are still sweating over the fitness of midfield starlet Warren Zaire-Emery in midweek.
Once again finding the net against Strasbourg a few days ago and now notching four goals in his previous three appearances for club and country, attacking talisman Kylian Mbappe will spearhead PSG’s charge on Wednesday night.
AC Milan
As for the visitors, watching their stellar start to the new Serie A campaign come to an abrupt end last weekend, AC Milan will be desperate to claim an immediate response here. Eventually putting in a toothless performance at the San Siro as they suffered a 1-0 loss against historic rivals Juventus, Stefano Pioli’s side know that they face an uphill battle in their bid to punch a Champions League knockout stage ticket this season. Opening their European adventure with a pair of 0-0 stalemates against Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund, the Rossoneri should face another stern examination in the French capital. Tipped as a real underdog contender when they arrive in Paris on Wednesday night, AC Milan have also recorded just a pair of wins from their previous 11 Champions League contests away from the San Siro – a run that stems all the way back to November 2013.
Team News
Despite being shown a straight red card against Juventus over the weekend, Germany international Malick Thiaw is free to feature on Wednesday night. Likewise, while number-one goalkeeper Mike Maignan might be serving his own domestic suspension, the former Lille shot-stopper will return between the sticks in Paris.
Although attacking talisman Rafael Leao might have failed to find the net in any of his previous seven appearances for club and country, the 24-year-old will spearhead Pioli’s charge here.
Key Factors to Consider
- Wednesday’s showdown at the Parc des Princes is the first Champions League meeting between PSG and AC Milan since February 2001.
- PSG have suffered just a single Champions League defeat on home soil from their previous nine contests.
- AC Milan’s 1-0 loss against Juventus over the weekend was their first domestic defeat since opening up the 2023/24 campaign.
- However, the Rossoneri have recorded just a pair of wins from any of their previous 11 Champions League contests away from the San Siro – a run that stems all the way back to November 2013.
- PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe has scored four goals in his previous three appearances for club and country.
Conclusion
Appearing to have bounced back following that infamous 4-1 defeat away at Newcastle last month, PSG will know that they face a must-win showdown here. Now winning back-to-back Ligue 1 contests on either side of October’s international break by an aggregate score of 6-1, Enrique’s side will also be excited by an eye-catching Champions League record on home soil. Suffering just a single European defeat at the Parc des Princes from any of their previous nine appearances. While chances could come at a premium here, we are backing a home victory for the French heavyweights on Wednesday night.
Verdict: PSG win
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Luckster
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