PSG vs Manchester City Preview

Champions League - League Phase GW7

There is no avoiding the importance of this match for either side, a loss makes qualification to the next stage difficult for both teams. Manchester City has looked improved in the Premier League but has yet to win a Champions League match in their last three, PSG has only won one of the previous five Champions League matches. Neither team will have new signings to use until the knockout rounds, Guardiola and Enrique know each other very well, and there have been a few iconic matches between Manchester City and PSG in the Champions League knockouts. This should be another.

Previous Results:

• Manchester City haven’t won in their last three Champions League matches, a draw against Feyenoord (3-3), whilst losing to Sporting CP (4-1), and Juventus (2-0). Sitting 22nd in the league table.

• PSG have only won one of their last three Champions League matches, that win coming against RB Salzburg (0-3), whilst losing to Bayern Munich (1-0), and Atletico Madrid (1-2). Sitting 25th in the league table.

Notable Injuries:

• Manchester City are without Rodri, Bobb, Ake, and Doku. John Stones has traveled with the squad to Paris.

• PSG expects Ousmane Dembele to return from illness, but Marquinhos and Achraf Hakimi are doubts.

Interesting PSG Stats:

• Only seven other teams have conceded fewer goals than PSG (6) in the Champions League this season, but they’ve only scored six goals across the last six matches. They failed to score in two of those matches.

• Bradley Barcola (94) leads the Champions League this season for progressive passes received, Achraf Hakimi is 3rd (76).

• Achraf Hakimi has completed the 2nd most progressive carries (39) and Ousmane Dembele (19) the second most carries into the Penalty Area in the Champions League this season.  

If you want to stay up-to-date on individual player minutes, back four combinations, underlying numbers, and more, check out the live Google sheet below. 👇

PSG

One to Watch - Bradley Barcola

With 11 goals in 16 Ligue 1 starts, Bradley Barcola is the leading scorer for PSG in the competition and one of the most promising left-wingers in world football. He’s got a potential competition for places arriving in Kvaratskhelia (should he not play elsewhere), a point to prove, and very likely up against Matheus Nunes at RB.

Nunes has not been especially great when shoulder-to-shoulder battling for the ball, giving up some soft fouls, so it set up an interesting match-up. Even if it’s Rico Lewis instead. Barcola likes to come inside to shoot, so either RB will need the support of midfield to close that off. Manuel Akanji should be starting at RCB and they’ll need him at his best to help stop Barcola.

Manchester City

One to Watch - Erling Haaland

These are the type of games where your superstars need to turn up, to take their chances, and Erling Haaland will have the space to attack against PSG. Although he scored against Ipswich Town last weekend, there was still a huge chance missed when he was put through by Kovacic 1v1. He’s going to get a chance like that again tonight and needs to take it.

In his six Champions League matches this season, Haaland has scored 4 non-penalty goals from 5.2 npxG. Also scoring one penalty and missing another.

Unlikely to see Marquinhos start, Haaland will be up against two inexperienced central defenders in Pacho and Beraldo. Both have been performing well this season but neither are the type you’d expect to give Haaland a tough match like Rudiger in previous Champions League matches.

Final Predictions

Predicted Lineup:

Predicted Score: PSG 1-2 Manchester City