Prediction: PSG vs Real Sociedad

Verdict: PSG win

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Looking to claim a first-leg Champions League advantage on Wednesday night, PSG will welcome Real Sociedad to the French capital.

PSG

Starting with the hosts, while Luis Enrique’s position might have come under increasing scrutiny this season, the French icons are enjoying a real purple patch. Picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend as they came from behind to grab a 3-1 victory against Lille, the former Barcelona boss finds his squad in the midst of a 16-match unbeaten run across all competitions – a flurry that stems all the way back to November 7th. Extending on their Coupe de France adventure earlier in the month as they landed another 3-1 win against Brest, Enrique has also seen his squad gain a reputation for their continued success on home soil. Not suffering a single defeat from any of their last 13 showdowns in the French capital, PSG should be smelling a potential opportunity here. Although the reigning Ligue 1 champions might be seeking some recent defensive resolve, they are rightfully tipped as a standout contender in midweek.

Team News

Forced to watch on from the bench against Lille over the weekend and left as an unused substitute, attacking talisman Kylian Mbappe will be handed a full recall here. All still dealing with respective injury issues, PSG will be without the likes of Nuno Mendes and ex-Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar on Wednesday night.

However, returning from this month’s Asia Cup, 22-year-old Kang-In Lee should make a return to Enrique’s squad. Bagging back-to-back domestic goals over the past week, former Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos should partner Mbappe in the final third.

Real Sociedad

As for the visitors, although Real Sociedad might have sprung a real Champions League upset back in December as they punched a famous knockout stage ticket, Imanol Alguacil’s men are enduring a recent wobble. Putting in another flat performance over the weekend as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home against Osasuna, the Spanish outfit are without a win from any of their previous four appearances across all competitions. Facing what looks set to be a stern examination when they travel to the French capital on Wednesday night, Alguacil will have a real headache over his side’s recent struggles in the final third. Failing to find the net in any of their last four showdowns, the midweek guests have not got on the scoresheet in almost 400 minutes of action. Showing some extended inconsistencies over the past few months, Sociedad have certainly been handed a real European challenge here.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues, Real Sociedad are once again expected to be without the likes of Aritz Elustondo, Carlos Fernandez, Martin Merquelanz and Arsenal loanee Kieran Tierney. Likewise, missing back-to-back appearances due to a recent knee issue, attacking ace Mikel Oyarzabal is seen as a major doubt.

Although Andre Silva might have failed to notch a single La Liga strike this season, the former RB Leipzig star should once again partner Japan international Takefusa Kubo in attack.

Key Factors to Consider

• PSG are unbeaten in all of their 16 appearances across all competitions since returning from November’s international break.
• Real Sociedad have failed to win any of their previous four appearances across all formats.
• Likewise, Wednesday’s guests have also not bagged a single goal on their four-match winless run.
• PSG are unbeaten in all of their previous 13 straight appearances in front of their own supporters.
• Enrique’s side have scored over 1.5 goals in 14 of their previous 15 home fixtures across all competitions.

Conclusion

Picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend and not suffering a single defeat across any competition since returning from November’s international break, PSG should be smelling a real opportunity here. Gaining a reputation for their continued success in the French capital and suffering just a sole home defeat so far this season, Enrique’s men will be relishing Sociedad’s arrival on Wednesday night. Without a win from any of their last four domestic appearances across all competitions and not bagging a single goal in almost 400 minutes of action, we are backing a the European contenders to pick up a first-leg advantage in midweek.

Verdict: PSG win

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Dachbet