Paris Saint-Germain vs Barcelona tips and predictions: Parisians to edge close encounter
- Thomas Ridley
- 9 April 2024
Paris Saint-Germain welcome Barcelona to the Parc Des Princes, with the French side looking to take the next step towards that elusive Champions League crown (2000 BST).
When you first think of this fixture, your thoughts immediately turn to that famous night at Camp Nou in 2017, when Barcelona recovered from losing 4-0 in the first leg to win the tie in the 95th minute of the second leg through Sergi Roberto.
Lionel Messi was key to that iconic comeback for Barca and in the Parisian camp is someone who has learned from the master himself.
Kylian Mbappe fired PSG to the quarter-finals, scoring three of his side's four goals in the 4-1 aggregate win over Real Sociedad in the round of 16.
The 25-year-old Frenchman has been a shining light for the Parisians once again this season scoring 39 goals in all competitions this season and will be more determined than ever to win this competition given that it's reportedly his final season at the club.
The Parisians have recovered from a bumpy start to the season, which included the shocking 4-1 defeat in the group stage at Newcastle, and are unbeaten in their last 27 games across all competitions.
However, despite not having the illustrious names of the past, Xavi's Barca team could still cause Luis Enqique's side some problems, with Robert Lewandowski and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal amongst those who have impressed for the Spanish giants this season.
In the Champions League, the head-to-head between these two is even-stevens, with the 12 meetings being split equally across all results.
Across 10 of those 12 meetings, both teams have scored so that's a good option, especially given that the Parisians have conceded in seven of their last nine home games across all competitions.
Mbappe has a good record against the visitors, having scored four goals against them across two games in a round-of-16 tie back in 2021, which included a hat-trick at Camp Nou, so Mbappe to score first looks like a bet which offers good value.
While Barca have got to this stage with minimum fuss, this is undoubtedly their biggest challenge of the tournament so far, but they have fared well on the road this season, with an unbeaten away record in La Liga epitomising that.
Despite their away day joys, we think that a narrow PSG win is the way to go given their form over the second half of the season.
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Team news
PSG will be without Presnel Kimpembe, Sergio Rico, Layvin Kurzawa and Bradley Barcola, who are absent with injury.
Achraf Hakimi is suspended after picking up his third yellow card of the competition in the second leg against Real Sociedad.
Gavi, Pedri and Alejandro Balde are all ruled out for Barcelona, while Frenkie De Jong is a doubt, meaning Andreas Christensen could play in midfield alongside Ilkay Guundogan.
Key stats
- The Champions League head-to-head between these two reads: 4 PSG wins, 4 draws, 4 Barcelona wins
- Kylian Mbappe has scored in all four of his Champions League home games this season
- Barcelona are the only side in La Liga with an unbeaten away record
- Barca have made it to the semi-finals just once over the past eight seasons, while PSG have made it to the semi-finals twice in the past four years
