Barça vs PSG Preview, Predictions, and Top Wagers: Anticipated Clash in Champions League Action
Following the recent Champions League engagements, FC Barcelona prepares to square off against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Tuesday at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, aiming to progress to their first semi-final since 2019. The Blaugrana holds a 3-2 advantage from the initial leg.
PSG has faced a challenging stretch in recent Champions League away matches, with only three victories in their last 13 encounters. However, they have leveraged a week's additional rest to bolster their preparation for this crucial contest.
Barcelona's Form
In their most recent 13 matches, Barcelona has emerged victorious ten times and drawn three. They sealed their quarter-final berth with a convincing 3-1 victory over Napoli, following up a 1-1 draw in the opening leg. This contest saw 25 shots and a notable 2.73 xG, marking a strong performance.
Three days later, Barcelona triumphed 3-0 against Atletico Madrid, demonstrating a commendable revival. This was followed by a 1-0 win against Las Palmas, before they secured a narrow 3-2 win away at Paris six days ago, overturning a 2-1 deficit. In their most recent La Liga match, they rested their leading first XI, securing a 1-0 triumph against Cadiz, currently occupying 18th place.
Barcelona Team News
Forward Pedri is expected to recover from his injury, potentially taking the field alongside Robert Lewandowski and Joao Cancelo, who return from domestic suspensions. Xavi will be without Sergi Roberto, Andreas Christensen, and the injured Gavi and Alejandro Balde for this crucial fixture.
Barcelona's Motivation
Barcelona has shown a clear commitment to this competition, evidenced by their strategic mass resting of key players over the weekend. They will seek to maintain a controlled approach, focusing on scoring the first goal and stifling PSG's pace on the break.
PSG's Form
PSG embarked on a six-day hiatus after their fixture with Lorient was postponed. Their 3-2 home loss during the initial leg ended a 27-match unbeaten streak extending back to November. Remarkably, they had won 19 and drawn eight fixtures during this stretch.
In the lead-up to the first leg, PSG were largely dominant in domestic competition. Highlights included a 6-2 drubbing of Montpellier, a 2-0 away victory over Marseille despite a 50-minute ten-man disadvantage, and a 1-0 cup win against Rennes in the Coupe de France semi-finals. Their last encounter before the Barcelona first leg was a 1-1 draw with bottom-placed Clermont.
PSG Team News
Achraf Hakimi returns from suspension for this pivotal second leg. This should enable Marquinhos to reclaim his position in central defense, potentially at the expense of Layvin Kurzawa and Presnel Kempembe, who miss out due to injury, and Nordi Mukiele who faces doubts after suffering a concussion.
Warren Zaire-Emery is expected to feature following his doubtful status during the first leg, likely taking up a midfield role. Bradley Barcola or Goncalo Ramos are poised to replace Marco Asensio in the starting XI for this encounter.
PSG's Motivation
PSG finds itself in a precarious position, needing to attack and overturn the shock first-leg defeat. Despite their proud history on the road in the Champions League, uncertainty remains over their belief in achieving this seemingly daunting task.
The side enters the match refreshed and fully focused on this competition, having secured the Ligue 1 title.
- Barcelona's strategy in the upcoming Champions League game against PSG involves a controlled approach, with a focus on scoring the first goal and defending against PSG's counterattacks.
- With Pedri expected to recover and Lewandowski and Cancelo returning from suspensions, Barcelona's attack could see a boost in the upcoming fixture, though they are without Sergi Roberto, Christensen, Gavi, and Balde.
- In an attempt to turn the tables on Barcelona, PSG enters the second leg motivated to attack and overturn the 3-2 deficit from the initial leg, but faces uncertainty over their ability to achieve this goal, given their challenging history in Champions League away matches.
- PSG's recent domestic form has been impressive, with notable wins over Montpellier, Marseille, and Rennes, but they will be without key players such as Kurzawa, Kempembe, and Mukiele due to injury or concussion.
