Wednesday sees a fixture that keeps coming back for more in the Champions League. Below you can find a detailed match preview along with PSG vs Barcelona tips and match odds, as Lucky Block takes you through this intriguing quarter-final first leg.
PSG vs Barcelona Tips
- Draw @ 11/4
- Kylian Mbappe to Score @ 4/5
- Combine both at odds of 23/4 with Lucky Block
PSG vs Barcelona Match Info
- 📅 Wednesday 10th April
- ⏱ Kick-Off 20:00 GMT
- 🏟 Parc de Princes, Paris
PSG vs Barcelona Preview
This fixture will always be inextricably linked with ‘La Remontada’ – Barcelona’s remarkable 6-1 comeback in February 2017 following a 4-0 defeat in Paris in the first leg.
Years have passed and Barcelona’s era of unprecedented success has diminished, but there are signs of life in this new-look side, which is buoyed by the promise of a new wave of La Masia recruits.
The same can be said of PSG, who have shifted their focus from mega-money marquee signings to curating a squad capable of competing for many years to come – albeit with their usual brazen expenditure in the transfer market.
And so, PSG and Barcelona meet in entirely new circumstances despite both sides being forced to become familiar with one and other down the years. Although there is plenty of recent history to go off, it reveals little about what may transpire – the head-to-head record is evenly poised at four wins a piece, and a further four draws.
PSG vs Barcelona Predictions and Betting Tips
Match to be a Draw
Although the PSG vs Barcelona odds on Lucky Block certainly favour the Parisians, bookmakers may be underestimating the visitors at their peril.
Since Xavi’s shock announcement that he will depart the club under the intoxicating scrutiny that comes with being manager, it has seemingly unshackled both the him and the team itself.
The Blaugrana are unbeaten in 11 matches – including an impressive run of four straight victories – and should be far fresher than their opponents having enjoyed a week-long break since a 1-0 win against Las Palmas.
Nevertheless, PSG have lost just once on home soil and are unbeaten in all competitions since losing to AC Milan all the way back at the beginning of November – a run of 27 games.
There are plenty of narratives feeding into the game for both sides – namely PSG’s almost desperate craving for European silverware, as well as Barcelona’s reliance on the Champions League to salvage a potentially trophy-less season.
Barcelona will likely set-up so as not to conceded first and foremost, with the Catalans holding the slight advantage of taking Wednesday’s result – whatever it may be – back to Spain.
This could translate into a fairly low-key affair, and a share of spoils jumps off the page at 11/14.
Kylian Mbappe to Score
While we may not have predicted the scoreline to swing in PSG’s favour, we do expect Kylian Mbappe to continue his stellar record against Barcelona.
Only Thomas Müller and Andriy Shevchenko have scored more Champions League goals against Barca – perhaps a sign of things to come in La Liga next season ahead of his expected move to Madrid?
Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain – Mbappe relishes the Champions League, and his goalscoring form this season suggests he is likely to score whenever takes to the pitch.
For context, the Frenchman has netted 39 goals in 40 appearances. Against a Barcelona side who have kept just two clean sheets in their eight Champions League matches this term, he should have plenty of chances to bolster that tally.
PSG Team News
Luis Enrique will be without the suspended Achraf Hakimi at right-back, meaning the Spaniard may be forced to move Warren Zaïre-Emery back into defence.
Aside from Hakimi, Presnel Kimpembe is the only other confirmed absentee.
PSG Predicted Line-Up: Donnarumma; Zaïre-Emery, Marquinhos, Hernandez, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Ugarte, Fabian Ruiz; Dembele, Mbappe, Barcola
Barcelona Team News
Manager Xavi will have to contend with more casualties than PSG’s relatively short absentee list.
Barcelona’s midfield remains notably depleted, with Gavi and Pedri both ruled out while Frankie De Jong faces a race against time to prove his fitness. Sergi Roberto and Fermin Lopez could be in line to start in the centre of midfield.
Alejandro Balde also remains sidelined through injury.
Barcelona Predicted Line-Up: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Cubarsi, Joao Cancelo; De Jong, Roberto, Gundogan; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha
PSG vs Barcelona Odds
- PSG – 47/50
- Draw – 11/4
- Barcelona – 27/10
