Two title contenders go head-to-head in the group stage
The absolute top match on the second group matchday of this year’s UEFA Champoins League season goes down in Group A. At Prinzenpark, it will be a rematch of last season’s semi-final. The star ensemble from the City of Love, PSG welcomes Manchester City
On the first matchday a fortnight ago, Pochettino’s eleven performed in utter disappointment and had to settle for a meagre 1-1 draw in Brugge. Guardiola’s charges, meanwhile, were at their best. Despite conceding three goals, Manchester City managed a commanding 6:3 victory against Leipzig. This is one of the reasons why the best bookmakers see a tip on the visitors as the most likely outcome in the top match between PSG and Manchester City.
This match could well be the final, because for the management of both teams, the only thing that counts in the top flight is to win the pot. There is still a long way to go until then, but both teams could make a clear statement against a direct competitor. The match kicks off on Tuesday at 9 p.m.
France PSG – Statistics & current form
After surprisingly failing to win the Ligue 1 title last season, the 2021/22 title can only go through Mauricio Pochettino’s star ensemble. With the big-name additions and the available player material, success is absolutely imperative.
Make no mistake in the domestic league
Many pundits would probably call PSG’s 2021 transfer summer the best ever. The new stars work straight away and in the domestic championship PSG are in a class of their own. After eight matchdays, they have a maximum of 24 points. However, anyone who believes that the capital’s players are strolling through the league is completely mistaken.
Although Neymar & Co. have not yet lost a point, the majority of their victories have not been commanding. However, it is often the unbelievable individual quality that ultimately leads to great jubilation. After Mauro Icardi and Achraf Hakimi scored two goals deep in injury time, they managed a 2-0 win against HSC Montpellier in the dress rehearsal for the City game.
Winless in four CL games
Nationally, there is nothing to complain about at the moment, but the French side’s season will be defined solely by their performance on the international stage. And this is where the first major setback occurred on the first matchday. In Belgium against Club Brugge, the heavy favourites only managed a 1-1 drawwith their renowned attack barely able to make an impact.
For the fourth time in a row, PSG remained without a full win in the top flight. If they fail to win the top match against the Citizens on Tuesday, PSG will remain winless in their first two group matches for the first time since 2004/05. PSG and Manchester City are currently offered odds of around 3.00 on the home side.
In all likelihood, superstar Lionel Messi will still not be an issue due to a bone bruise. Sergio Ramos is missing anyway and still has to wait for his PSG debut. Otherwise, all the stars are available.
Predicted PSG line-up:
Bravo – Mendes, Kimpembe, Marquinhos, Hakimi – Herrera, Wijnaldum, Gueye – Neymar, Mbappe, Di Maria
Last matches played by PSG:
Manchester City – Statistics & current form
In the run-up to top games, a little mind games are part of the game. Accordingly, it is almost unsurprising that several media outlets reported over the weekend that City sheikh Mansour has issued Kylian Mbappe as an absolute desired target. An offer is expected to arrive in Paris as early as January. The aim here was probably to stir up trouble before the direct duel in order to influence the match preparation.
Unbeaten in ten CL away games
The last few days have been a trip down memory lane for Pep Guardiola and his team. Last weekend saw a rematch of last season’s Champions League final. Thanks to a Jesus goal, the Skyblues took revenge against Chelsea. Guardiola’s team was particularly convincing in the game against the ball, as Chelsea were unable to fire a single shot in the entire match.
Now, a rematch of the semi-final is on the agenda. And despite playing as guests, the prediction for PSG against Manchester City is that the visitors will win. A big part of that is City’s very strong away record on the international stage. None of Manchester City’s last ten CL away games have been lost Outside England, Guardiola’s eleven are even unbeaten since December 2017 (1-2 against Shakhtyor Donetsk)
Bearish defence
The result in the first Champions League match was more like a tennis match, as the English champions beat RB Leipzig 6:3 in an extremely entertaining match. A result that was by no means to be expected, because Guardiola’s football stands for a lot of City ball possession and few opposing goal chances.
This is also evident when looking at the results this season, as in the domestic championship Manchester City only conceded a goal on matchday one in a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham. Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson has kept a clean sheet in the last five league games.
Despite the immense quality on both sides, the top match between PSG and Manchester City can be predicted to be under 2.5. Tactical banter and a lot of respect for the opponent are certainly to be expected in this duel.
Predicted Manchester City line-up:
Ederson – Cancelo, Stones, Dias, Walker – De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva – Grealish, Foden, Mahrez
Last matches played by Manchester City:
PSG – Manchester City Direct Comparison / H2H Record
For the sixth time, the two teams will face each other at the Princes Park in Paris on Tuesday night. The French have no fond memories of the Citizens, with PSG failing to win all five of their matches. Only twice did they manage a draw, while Manchester City won the remaining three games. Only against Juventus Torino has PSG played more often without ever having won (eight games).
The Citizens have scored at least once in all four Champions League matches (plus one Europa League match in 2008/09). Last season, Guardiola’s side prevailed 2-1 and 2-0 in the semi-finals.
France PSG – Manchester City Tip
It wouldn’t be a big surprise to see these two teams contest the Champions League final at the Gazprom Arena on May 28. In Champions League winners betting odds, these clubs are considered co-favourites to win the title. There is now an initial feeling out in the group stage and despite home advantage, higher odds are offered on PSG against Manchester City against the star ensemble from Paris.
So far, PSG have never won against the Skyblues, yet betting odds of over 3.00 have a certain appeal to offer, a more notable attack than that of the Pochettino eleven is not really possible. Nevertheless, the forecast for the top match between PSG and Manchester City is under 2.5. Neither team will want to take any big risks in this prestigious duel and a feeling-out is to be expected. Accordingly, the betting odds for a maximum of two goals appear to be lucrative.
