PSG vs Man City: Preview and Betting Tips | UCL 2025

Pep Guardiola’s team are just one point better off but they’ve lost just once in seven matches against PSG (four wins).

Match: PSG vs Man City
When: Wednesday, 22 January 2025, 22:00 SAST.
Where: Parc Des Princes

PSG Form

PSG have had a poor Champions League campaign so far. They lost on matchdays two, four and five with the latter defeat coming 1-0 away at Bayern Munich. Since that setback, they’re 10 matches unbeaten in all competitions and won 3-0 at Salzburg on matchday six.

A 3-1 win over Lyon and a 4-3 win at Monaco followed in Ligue 1. After two domestic cup wins, they beat Saint-Etienne 2-1 at home in the league. Following 4-2 Coupe de France victory at lower league Espaly-Saint-Marcel, they won 2-1 at Lens on Saturday to go nine points clear at the top of Ligue 1.

PSG Team News

Luis Enrique has a doubt over centre back Marquinhos due to a groin complaint. Teenage winger Ibrahim Mbaye is out injured. Defender Presnel Kimbembe has been back on the bench after a long injury but he is not expected to start.

Luis Enrique will recall Joao Neves to the XI and Goncalo Ramos is an option if he uses a genuine number nine. The alternatives are Kang-In Lee or Marco Asensio being used as a false nine. New signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is ineligible for this match.

PSG Motivation

PSG are in a desperate position in this competition. They really need a win from this match and a defeat could leave them on the brink of elimination.

Enrique’s side simply have to try to attack whilst controlling the spaces to stop Man City from dominating.

Man City Form

City’s form since late October has been a disaster. Nine defeats in 12 matches was nothing short of a crisis and their 2-0 loss at Juventus in December puts Man City’s knockout hopes in danger. Further losses followed that defeat in Turin, 2-1 at home to Man Utd and 2-1 at Aston Villa. Things have looked up of late with a six-match unbeaten run.

A 1-1 home draw vs Everton was a poor result but it stopped the rot. City won 2-0 at Leicester, 4-1 at home to West Ham and 8-0 at home versus Salford in the FA Cup. After leading 2-0 with 81 minutes on the clock, they crumbled to draw 2-2 at Brentford. On Sunday, they smashed Ipswich 6-0 in a totally one-sided affair.

Man City Team News

Pep Guardiola has John Stones available again for this one. Nathan Ake is ruled out and has not travelled to Paris. Rodri and Oscar Bobb remain absent due to long-term injuries.

Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis have both signed in defence but are ineligible to feature. Kyle Walker will play no part with a move to AC Milan said to be close. Bernardo Silva could remain on the bench, while either Stones or Rico Lewis will replace Matheus Nunes at right back.

Man City Motivation

City are not clear yet if they need three, four or six points to qualify. Realistically, avoiding defeat here and winning the final game versus Club Brugge should be enough.

They will play their normal game in Paris but the defence looks vulnerable, especially down the flanks.

Key Stats

PSG have scored in 39 of their last 42 home UCL matches (conceded in 9 of last 13)

PSG have lost 3 of their last 5 home UCL matches

PSG have won just 1 of their 6 matches vs Man City (4 losses, 2 draws).

Man City are unbeaten in 6 matches in all competitions (4 wins, 2 draws)

Man City’s Phil Foden has scored 5 goals in his last 4 matches

Man City’s Erling Haaland has scored 46 goals in 45 UCL games

Verdict

This is a big game with a lot to play for. City are looking more like themselves and should avoid defeat in Paris.

Best Bet: Man City win/draw double chance at 1.62
Value Bet: Man City win at 2.80
Anytime Goalscorer Tips: Foden at 3.90 or Haaland at 2.05