Barcelona v PSG – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Barcelona host PSG at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. Blaugrana holds a 3-2 lead from the first leg and are looking to make their first semi-final since 2019. PSG have won just three of their last 13 away Champions League matches but have had a full week off to prepare.

Barcelona Form

Barcelona have ten wins and three draws in their last 13 matches. They secured their spot in the quarter-finals by beating Napoli 3-1 at home to follow up a 1-1 draw in the first leg. That second leg saw 25 shots and 2.73 xG in a fine display.

A fine 3-0 win away at Atletico Madrid followed a few days later to highlight their revival. After a 1-0-win vs Las Palmas, Barcelona won 3-2 in Paris six days ago having trailed 2-1. On Saturday, they rested most of their first XI in a 1-0 win at 18th-placed Cadiz in La Liga.

Barcelona Team News

Xavi will be without Sergi Roberto and Andreas Christensen in midfield as both are suspended after yellow cards in the first leg. Gavi and Alejandro Balde are absent due to long-term injuries.

Pedri returned from injury for the first leg and may start this one. Robert Lewandowski, Joao Cancelo, and Inigo Martinez return from domestic suspensions. Ilkay Gundogan, Ronald Araujo, and Frenkie de Jong were all rested over the weekend.

Barcelona Motivation

Barca are 100% focused on this competition. That is clear from their starting XI over the weekend where there was mass resting.

They won’t be too open against PSG’s pace on the break and will look to play a steady game and score first.

PSG Form

PSG had a full six days without playing after their fixture vs Lorient was suspended. Their 3-2 home loss in the first leg ended a 27-match unbeaten streak going back to November. They had won 19 and drawn eight of those fixtures in that streak.

Before the first leg, PSG were largely cruising domestically. They thrashed Montpellier 6-2 and beat rivals Marseille 2-0 away despite playing 50 minutes with ten men. A 1-0 cup win over Rennes in the Coupe de France semi-finals preceded a 1-1 draw at bottom-placed Clermont ahead of the Barcelona first leg.

PSG Team News

Achraf Hakimi returns from suspension for this second leg. That should see Marquinhos return to centre-back. Defenders Layvin Kurzawa and Presnel Kimpembe are injured and Nordi Mukiele is doubtful after a concussion.

Warren Zaire-Emery was doubtful for the first leg and only featured from the bench. He is expected to start this one in midfield. Bradley Barcola or Goncalo Ramos are set to replace Marco Asensio in the starting XI for this one.

PSG Motivation

PSG have no choice but to attack and try to turn around their shock first-leg defeat. They’re not the best travellers in the Champions League and may lack some belief here.

The side is fully fresh and focused on this competition with Ligue 1 wrapped up.

Key Stats

Barcelona are unbeaten in 14 matches (11 wins, 3 draws)

Barcelona have kept 6 clean sheets in their last 8 matches.

PSG have lost 1 of their last 28 matches (19 wins)

PSG have won just 3 of their last 13 away Champions League matches

Verdict

The hosts have enough to at least avoid defeat here. We should see both sides on target and much more will be needed from Mbappe in this second leg.

Best Bet: Barcelona win/draw double chance + Over 1.5 goals at 1.66

Value Bet: Barcelona win and both teams to score at 3.45

Goalscorer Tip: Robert Lewandowski anytime goalscorer at 2.30

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis