Prediction: PSG vs Barcelona

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Dachbet

In what is a heavyweight Champions League showdown on Wednesday night, PSG will welcome Barcelona to the French capital for their first-leg meeting.

PSG

Starting with the hosts, while PSG might have eventually been forced to settle for a 1-1 stalemate at home against Clermont over the weekend, the French giants are cruising their way to yet another Ligue 1 crown. Marking their return from March’s international break with a 2-0 victory away at historic rivals Marseille, Luis Enrique’s men are unbeaten in all of their previous 27 straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to November 7th. With it no secret that a maiden Champions League crown is at the top of their agenda this season, the ex-Barcelona boss will be desperate to get one over on his former employers over the next fortnight. Extending on their European adventure last month after securing a routine 4-1 aggregate victory against Spanish outfit Real Sociedad, PSG should be relishing a heavyweight quarter-final showdown here.

Team News

Dealing with a recent muscle injury on either side of March’s international break, PSG are once again sweating over the fitness of Bradley Barcola here. While 20-year-old sensation Lucas Beraldo might currently be serving a domestic suspension, the Brazil international is free to feature in midweek.

Forced to settle for a spot on the bench against Clermont over the weekend, attacking talisman Kylian Mbappe will certainly be handed an immediate return on here. Bagging a late equaliser while in domestic action on Sunday night and notching eight goals across all competitions since opening the New Year, former Benfica star Goncalo Ramos will partner Mbappe in the final third.

Barcelona

As for the visitors, while Barcelona might have long since accepted that they will be unable to defend their La Liga crown this season, the Spanish giants are in the midst of an eye-catching flurry. Heading into March’s international break with a stunning performance away at Atletico Madrid as they stormed their way to a 3-0 romp in the capital, Xavi’s men have won all of their previous four appearances across all competitions. Extending on their Champions League adventure last month as they secured a 4-1 aggregate victory against Italian giants Napoli, Wednesday’s guests have also not suffered a single defeat from any of their previous 10 straight outings. With that flurry stemming back to an action-packed 5-3 loss against Villarreal on January 27th, Barca are enjoying an eye-catching run in the final third. In fact, Xavi’s side have notched 22 goals on their 10-match unbeaten flurry.

Team News

In what was a real double blow, Barcelona have already confirmed that the duo of Alejandro Balde and Javi will miss the remainder of the season. However, Xavi’s camp remain hopeful that both Andreas Christensen and Dutch midfielder Frankie De Jong will be available to feature here.

Continuing on what has been quite the free-scoring run since opening the New Year and with 11 strikes so far in 2024, Polish record-breaker Robert Lewandowski will spearhead Barca’s charge in Paris. Settling for a spot on the bench last week, Atletico Madrid loanee Joao Felix could be handed a full recall and join Lewandowski in attack.

Key Factors to Consider

• When PSG and Barcelona last met in Champions League action back in 2021, the French giants picked up a 5-2 aggregate victory.
• PSG are unbeaten in all of their previous 27 straight appearances across all competitions.
• Barcelona have lost just one of their last eight appearances across all competitions outside of Catalonia.
• PSG have seen seven of their previous nine home fixtures finish with both teams finding the net.
• Kylian Mbappe has bagged six goals in his eight Champions League appearances so far this season.

Conclusion

In what is rightfully billed as a mouth-watering affair on Wednesday night, neutrals will be hoping for a pulsating affair here. Two European giants who are enjoying their own respective flurries, chances could come thick and fast in the French capital. With PSG landing an action-packed 5-2 aggregate victory when they last met Barcelona back in 2021, both camps will be looking to make an early statement here. It should be noted, with Wednesday’s hosts seeing seven of their previous nine showdowns in Paris finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome in midweek.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Dachbet