Manchester City travel to France to face Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, with both sides hoping to make their mark in Europe’s premier club competition.
PSG and Manchester City have risen to prominence in recent years due to the heavy investment of their owners, but despite their domestic dominance, the two sides are yet to make an impression in the UEFA Champions League.
This season presents the Parisians with a golden opportunity to challenge the other top European teams in the competition, with Laurent Blanc’s side having already sealed the Ligue 1 title.
Lineups
PSG
The main worry for the Parisians is that their star Italian midfielder Marco Veratti has to sit this game out due to injury. As such, Blanc is likely to name Adrien Rabiot in midfield alongside Blaise Matuidi and Thiago Motta. Another major absentee for the French side is Argentine attacking midfielder Javier Pastore.
Possible Starting XI (4-3-3): Trapp; Maxwell, Luiz, T.Silva, Marquinhos; Matuidi, Motta, Rabiot; Moura, Ibrahimovic, Di Maria.
Manchester City
The Sky Blues will be happy to welcome back first choice goalkeeper Joe Hart and attacking playmaker Kevin De Bruyne when they take on PSG on Wednesday. Manuel Pellegrini will be particularly pleased with the return of the Belgian midfielder, who marked his comeback with a goal against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Possible Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Hart; Clichy, Mangala, Otamendi, Zabaleta; Fernandinho, Fernando; De Bruyne, D.Silva, Navas; Aguero.
Key Stats
- PSG are on a four-match winning streak in the UEFA Champions League this season.
- In each of their last four Champions League encounters, PSG have scored at least two goals.
- Manchester City have won only one of their last four matches in all competitions.
- Before the 4-0 win at Bournemouth, Manchester City had failed to score for three consecutive matches.
- Manchester City are playing in a Champions League quarter-final for the first time in their history.
Prediction
PSG 3 – 1 Manchester City
The Sky Blues warmed up with a brilliant 4-0 win against Bournemouth last weekend, but playing PSG away from home is a different proposition altogether. The Parisians have already won the Ligue 1 and will be fully rested ahead of the quarter-final clash. Also, the fact that Blanc’s men are playing at home means that they will be the clear favourites to take a lead into the second leg of the match.
Odds (Paddy Power)
- PSG: 8/11
- Draw: 3/1
- Manchester City: 7/2
