Ace Football previews the Champions League match between FC Barcelona and PSG, and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain meet for the first time since the famous ‘La Remontada’ back in 2017 for the first leg of a Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday night.
This clash is arguably the biggest on offer in the last-16. Both clubs are potential title challengers, have already locked horns off the pitch over Lionel Messi, and are determined to outdo each other. It has the makings of a blockbuster showdown.
And while injuries have hampered preparations for both sides, they are still ladened with quality attacking options in what should be a close and exciting affair between two giants of European football.
32 goals in their last eight meetings in the Champions League, an average of four goals-per-match, says it all.
FC Barcelona Form & Stats
The Blaugrana qualified for the last-16 by finishing second in Group G. They won five of their six games, but a 3-0 defeat to Juventus at Camp Nou in their last outing cost them the chance to finish in the top spot. It set them up for a knockout tie with none other than PSG, an opponent they cannot afford to lose to – no matter what.
In some ways, this tie could be viewed as a playoff for Messi. The outcome will surely influence the soon-to-be free agent’s future, with PSG having made their interest in him no secret. But while his uncertain fate clouds Camp Nou, Messi continues to deliver top performances and has been in a rich rein of form in 2021.
Barcelona have also hit a turning point under manager Ronald Koeman recently, having gone unbeaten in their last 12 La Liga games (W10 D2). A 5-1 win over Deportivo Alaves last weekend was a perfect warm-up. They’ve also never lost to a French club at Camp Nou in a Champions League tie and haven’t failed to progress past the last-16 since 2006/07.
But the five-time European champions have generally struggled against tough opposition this season, with a recent 2-0 Copa del Rey defeat to Sevilla proving so.
Key Team Stats
- Won 14 of their last 18 games in all competitions (D2 L2).
- Won 4 of their 8 Champions League games against PSG (D2 L2), including 3 in 4 home games (D1).
- BTTS in each of their last 5 home La Liga games.
- Knocked out PSG in each of their last 3 knockout ties (2012/13, 2014/15, 2016/17).
- Have never lost to a French club at Camp Nou in the Champions League (W8 D2).
- Aim to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for a record 14th consecutive season.
- Lionel Messi has made 11 goal contributions in only 10 games across all competitions in 2021 (9 goals, 2 assists).
- Lionel Messi has managed 4 goals and 1 assist in 7 Champions League games against PSG.
PSG Form & Stats
Last season’s runners-up left it to the very last game to qualify for the knockouts. A 5-1 win over Istanbul Basaksehir in their last European outing, however, sealed the top spot in Group H ahead of RB Leipzig and Manchester United. Now it’s Barcelona in the last-16 and a chance to avenge their nightmare comeback defeat back in 2017.
But PSG are without key players in former Blaugrana forward Neymar and winger Angel Di Maria. The pair are out injured, and their absences are a huge blow for new manager Mauricio Pochettino. It could prove a game-changer at Camp Nou and put the likes of Kylian Mbappe under further pressure to deliver.
Despite eight wins in 10 games (D1 L1), the French champions are yet to hit their best form under Pochettino. They have shown promise, though, with five clean sheets in their last seven games and beaten rivals Marseille twice. But Barcelona are a different beast altogether, making this the Argentine’s first true test.
Key Team Stats
- Won only 2 of their last 5 away Champions League games (D1 L2).
- Mauricio Pochettino has won 8 of his opening 10 games as PSG manager (D1 L1).
- BTTS in 3 of their last 4 Champions League games.
- Reached the Champions League knockout stages for a French club record of 9 times in a row.
- Kept 3 clean sheets in their last 4 away games.
- Have not beaten a Spanish club in a Champions League knockout match since 2013.
- Kylian Mbappe has scored 4 goals in his last 5 league games.
Team News
FC Barcelona
Out: Philippe Coutinho, Sergi Roberto, Ansu Fati, Ronald Araujo.
Doubts: Gerard Pique, Martin Braithwaite.
PSG
Out: Neymar, Angel Di Maria, Juan Bernat, Timothee Pembele, Colin Dagba.
Doubts: Rafinha, Marco Verratti.
Predicted Line-ups
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top Goalscorers in Champions League
Head-To-Head Record
Below are some head-to-head stats on each team’s recent form in the Champions League.
Betting Tips
* DC:12 – Double Chance on Home Team (FC Barcelona)
More Odds
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