PSG vs Barcelona predictions and match preview for Wednesday’s game in the UEFA Champions League. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as Barcelona travel to Paris with a huge mountain to climb.
- DATE: Wednesday 10th March 2021
- KICK-OFF: 21:00 (local time)
- VENUE: Parc des Princes
- COMPETITION: UEFA Champions League Last 16, 2nd Leg
- PSG lead 4-1 on aggregate.
PSG vs Barcelona Preview
Barcelona face mission impossible in Paris on Wednesday night. Their 4-1 defeat in the 1st Leg three weeks ago at Camp Nou was the latest in a series of dark nights in this competition in recent years but curiously the Catalans come into this match with a sense of renewed optimism after some more positive developments in recent weeks.
The 1st Leg in Barcelona, quickly turned into the Kylian Mbappe show. The 22 year old was in electric form, scoring a hat-trick on an evening which once again brutally exposed Barca’s flaws. Even a 3-0 win wouldn’t be enough for Ronald Koeman’s side in the 2nd Leg and this time they will definitely be without Gerard Pique, who was rushed back to feature in the first game, a plan which didn’t exactly pay off.
This is though a Barcelona side which has won their last four games to nil and suddenly has hopes of challenging for a domestic double with the gap to leaders Atleti having shortened in LaLiga while they staged a brilliant comeback in their Copa del Rey Semi-Final against Sevilla. They also have a new president after Joan Laporta was reelected on Sunday.
Barcelona are still expected to name their strongest possible lineup here and having come back from 4-0 down to progress in a UCL tie against this opposition only a few years ago, they will hold onto the tiniest glimmer of hope. Having reached last year’s Final, PSG feel like more experienced European campaigners now though and it’s hard to see them allowing Barcelona back into the tie.
There’s even a chance they could name a stronger XI this time around with Neymar pushing to be fit. PSG have had quite a few home hiccups this season – losing to Manchester United in the Champions League as well as Marseille, Lyon and most recently Monaco in Ligue 1. They are only 2nd in the French top flight with a real battle on their hands to retain their title but they are unlikely to risk rotating here even though the tie looks as good as over.
Head to Head
- Previous 6 Competitive Meetings: 2 PSG Wins, 4 Barcelona Wins.
- PSG were 4-1 winners in the 1st Leg three weeks ago.
- They were also 4-0 winners when the sides last met in Paris, but Barcelona still won that tie with a stunning 6-1 2nd Leg win at Camp Nou.
- There have been 4 or more goals in 5 of the last 6 meetings between the clubs.
Team News
Neymar is a major doubt still for PSG but is hoping to play some part against his former club following injury. Moise Kean, who impressed in the 1st Leg, is out following a positive COVID-19 test.
Gerard Pique will definitely miss this game while Jordi Alba is a doubt. Ronald Koeman must decide whether to play with three at the back again or whether to switch back to 4-3-3.
Predicted PSG Starting Lineup:
Navas – Kurzawa, Kimpembe, Marquinhos, Florenzi – Gueye, Paredes – Mbappe, Verratti, De Maria – Icardi (4-2-3-1)
Predicted Barcelona Starting Lineup:
Ter Stegen – Lenglet, Umtiti, Mingueza – Busquets – Alba, De Jong, Pedri, Dest – Griezmann, Messi (3-1-4-2)
PSG vs Barcelona Predictions
Score Prediction: PSG 2-1 Barcelona (PSG win 6-2 on aggregate)
There have been some encouraging signs for Barcelona in recent weeks and those two victories over Sevilla should give them more reason to believe when they face the stronger sides. However their back four just isn’t good enough to keep an attack like PSG’s quiet and there are some major questions in midfield too with Sergio Busquets all too frequently overrun on these big European nights. PSG should win on the night to secure a convincing aggregate win.
UEFA Champions League Betting Tips (18+)
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