Friday, November 29, 2024

Prediction: RB Leipzig vs PSG

Verdict: Both teams to score & over 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides who grabbed dramatic late winners last week, RB Leipzig and PSG will meet out in Portugal on Tuesday night with a spot in the final of this year’s Champions League up for grabs.

RB Leipzig

Starting with RB Leipzig, watching Tyler Adams bag his first strike for the Red Bulls in the 88th-minute last week, the German outfit managed to pick up a deserved 2-1 win against former Champions League finalists Atletico Madrid and some have branded them as a real dark horse this summer. Although the much-praised Julian Nagelsmann might have seen Timo Werner make the move to Premier League side Chelsea this summer, they have enjoyed a record-breaking European campaign just 11 years after the club was formed. Managing to secure another top-four finish in the Bundesliga and the mood in their camp at a real high, they also laid down a marker when they faced off against Spurs prior to football’s enforced break. Including gaining plenty of plaudits for their 3-0 romp when they welcomed Jose Mourinho’s men to Germany back in March, Leipzig stormed past Tottenham thanks to a 4-0 aggregate hammering and have a real reputation for their performances in the final third. Once again bagging a brace against Atletico in the quarter-finals last week, the Whites have scored at least a pair of goals in six of their last seven Champions League appearances.

Team News

Aside from Ibrahima Konate who underwent hip surgery last month, Julian Nagelsmann has no fresh injuries or suspensions to worry about ahead of their maiden European semi-final on Tuesday night.

PSG

As for PSG, chasing down Atalanta’s 1-0 lead heading into injury time, few would have expected what was a famous European turnaround by the French champions. Securing their spot in the semi-final of the Champions League for the first time since 1994, Thomas Tuchel’s men managed to bag two last-gasp strikes in the final three minutes and managed to dodge what was a real bullet at Tuesday’s venue. Although Les Parisiens might have seen the Ligue 1 campaign cut short back in March, they have caught they eye since returning to action and have already lifted both the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue over the past six weeks. With many around the French capital feeling that they need to clinch a piece of European silverware if they’re really to move onto the next level of Europe’s elite, PSG have lost just one of their nine Champions League appearances over this summer’s extended tournament. Able to call upon a host of attacking gems out in Portugal on Tuesday night, Tuchel’s side could also be boosted by their most recent meeting against German opposition. Securing another dramatic turnaround in their second-leg against BVB back in March, the Blues managed to secure a 3-2 aggregate win against the Bundesliga silver medalists.

Team News

After limping off against Atalanta last week, PSG look set to be without #1 shot-stopper Kaylor Navas and former Fulham keeper Sergio Rico looks set to deputise.

While the French side might be without midfielder Marco Verratti who is still dealing with his own injury issue, Thomas Tuchel could be able to call upon Kylian Mbappe who is still trying to fully recover from an ankle problem.

Key Factors to Consider

  • Both PSG and Leipzig have lost just one of their nine Champions League appearances in this summer’s extended tournaments.
  • Leipzig have scored over 1.5 goals in six of their last seven European outings.
  • Each of PSG’s last three Champions League matchups away from the Parc des Princes have seen both teams find the net and over 2.5 goals by the final whistle.
  • Leipzig are the first German side outside of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League since Schalke in 2010-11.
  • 27 of PSG’s last 32 Champions League appearances have seen over 2.5 goals by full-time.

Conclusion

On paper, we should be in for another lively night on Tuesday after both PSG and Leipzig managed to secure stunning late winners last week. With the French giants hosting a string of attacking talismans, the Red Bulls also have a real reputation for their growing performances in the final third. Along with picking up a 2-1 win against former finalists Atletico Madrid last time out, the German youngsters also laid down a real marker with their stunning 4-0 aggregate romp against Spurs earlier in the year. With each of PSG’s last three Champions League matchups away from the Parc des Princes seeing both teams find the net and over 2.5 goals by the final whistle, we’re backing a similar outcome in Portugal on Tuesday.

Verdict: Both teams to score & over 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: Unibet

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tom Dunstan


Formerly of The Independent, Tom has spent the past six years as one of our senior writers and betting experts. Alongside working with numerous publications from across the globe, Tom also graduated from the University of Falmouth in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Digital Media.
Spending almost the past decade working in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, he has also spent time featuring in sports radio. Tom can be followed on Instagram - @iamtomdunstan

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