PSG battle Barcelona in crucial Champions League clash
Ligue 1 champions PSG will welcome Spanish giants Barcelona to the Parc des Princes for a mouth-watering Champions League quarter-final encounter, as they aim to topple Luis Enrique’s men for the second time this term.
Laurent Blanc’s French league leaders overcame Barca in a group stage meeting last year on home soil, with the La Liga title hopefuls having secured victory at the Nou Camp in the reverse fixture. The hosts are available at 7/2 with Coral to secure consecutive home wins against their recently freescoring opposition.
PSG have proved their European credentials this season, having become the only team to topple Enrique’s men in the competition this term, although they face a tough task, with Barcelona coming into the clash on the back six consecutive Champions League victories, the first time they have achieved this feat since 2012.
Each of the previous six encounters between these two sides have seen both teams find the net, and the visitors are a 27/10 chance to win which each outfit scoring.
However, history will be on PSG’s side, with Barcelona failing to win a European game away to French opposition since October 2001, having drawn three and lost once. Although, the French champions have suffered quarter-final exits in the previous two seasons.
PSG’s star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still banned for a recent outburst, and he joins Marco Veratti, David Luiz and Thiago Motta on the sidelines, while Dani Alves misses out for the visiting side through a suspension of his own.
Barcelona’s ferocious front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar have been an unstoppable force domestically and in Europe this current campaign, with all three having netted in the 3-1 home win over their French rivals last December.
Amazing Argentine attacker Messi has struck in his last three starts against PSG and has incredibly notched up 45 goals in all competitions this season. He is available at 4/1 to bag a brace or more in the French capital in his latest outing.
The home side possesses plenty of attacking talent of their own, despite the absence of Ibrahimovic, with Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani aiming to fire his team to a dominant first leg lead. He is a 23/10 chance to slot home anytime in this European encounter.
PSG pose a substantial threat from their midfield as well, with France international enforcer Blaise Matuidi having netted in both the home win in December and last season’s Parc des Princes 2-2 draw. The midfield danger is 5/1 to strike again on his latest Champions League home outing.
With 17 of Barcelona’s previous 18 goals coming from open play, a competition-high this term, and PSG having conceded the most strikes of all the teams still present in the tournament, Paris could be set to host another thrilling matchup.
