PSG vs. Real Madrid: Preview and betting tips

The biggest eight-final match of this year’s Champions League will be on the schedule on the first day of play. Real Madrid will visit the Parc des Princes and will try to get a good result for the return leg. However, PSG’s star-studded squad will be looking to repeat their 2019 performance.

As already mentioned, PSG managed to win 3-0 in Paris in the autumn of 2019 and draw 2-2 in the rematch in Madrid.

However, the two teams had also met a year earlier in the Champions League semi-finals and after two wins, Real Madrid won the group stage and reached the final against Liverpool.

A lot has happened in the last few years and while PSG have strengthened tremendously, Real Madrid are going through a transformation, but thanks to several factors (coach Carlo Ancelotti, a productive Karim Benzema, a solid midfield of Modric, Casemiro and Kroos) the royal club is managing to do well.

It is also great news for all fans that both teams will start with practically the strongest squad available. Above all, coach Mauricio Pochettino received some rather unpleasant news at the end of November. Due to an ankle injury, Neymar dropped out of the game and according to the first forecasts he was going to miss this eight-final.

However, according to the latest reports from France, Neymar was finally able to be fit for the extremely important match. He has already trained with the team and will not be missing from Pochettino’s nomination.

Probable line-ups:

PSG:: Navas; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Nuno Mendes; Danilo, Paredes, Verratti; Di María, Messi, Mbappé

Real Madrid:: Courtois; Carvajal, Militão, Alaba, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Asensio, Benzema, Vinícius Júnior

Prediction

Considering the previous matches between the two teams, goals can definitely be expected. And they shouldn’t when they have such a striking power. This duel should be a celebration of football, and the goals should help significantly.

In the last 4 matches between the two teams, 3 or more goals have been scored and in 3 out of 4 cases both teams have managed to score. Over 2.5 and Both teams to score are definitely one of the most likely bets.

Goals were also scored in the preliminary groups, with PSG finishing second with a score of 13:8. Real Madrid won their group with a score of 14:3, managing to keep a clean sheet on 4 occasions. However, apart from Inter, they played against weaker opponents on paper.

However, PSG’s attacking power will be vastly different and it is the ability to keep the Parisian stars away from Thibaut Courtois’ goal that will be key! Still, the White Ballet players can be expected to fail to do so.