Champions League Round of 16: PSG – Barcelona

These 2 sides have met quite a few times over the last years. Everybody of course remembers the famous remontada when Barcelona overturned a 4-0 deficit from the first leg in a legendary 6-1 home win. Mbappe and co. definitely will want to prevent a similar scenario folding out this time. The Barcelona coach at that time now is at the helm at PSG as Luis Enrique is in his first season in charge in Paris. Both teams will see chances to advance through to the final with this draw but also need to be cautious as they both have their weaknesses. 

PSG Team News

Mbappe has been the main headline for the Parisians over the last weeks with his imminent transfer speculations has seen him being substituted or left on the bench for the last few games. It is likely however that tonight he will feature the full 90 minutes as the star is just too important for PSG. Hakimi is a player that will definitely not play as the Moroccan right back is suspended for this game, other players not featuring are Kimpembe, Kurzawa and Mukiele. Behind young talent Barcola remains a question mark as the Frenchman has had some thigh problems. 

Barcelona Team News

After having been flooded with injuries in the last months, Xavi has seen his players return to action slowly but surely. For now it seems that only long term injured Gavi and left back Balde are out of contention for tonight’s clash. Xavi will be especially happy that Frenkie de Jong and Pedri are available in midfield as they are pivotal in Barcelona´s game and were both sidelined for quite a while in the last months. 

PSG Form

Enrique´s side are unbeaten since November when they lost against AC Milan away from home in the Champions League. The last time they lost at home was even longer ago as their only home defeat of the season came against Nice at home in September. However, some recent draws in the French League are definitely not great results for the Parisians. In the Champions League they have had a decent campaign, especially strong at home getting 10 out of possible 12 points in home games this season in a strong group and against an exciting Sociedad side. If it will be enough to beat Barcelona remains to be seen. 

Barcelona Form

After Xavi announced that he was leaving the club after the season his side went undefeated in 11 games, winning 8 out of those 11 games and drawing 3. Especially defensively they have picked up a notch, as they only conceded 1 goal in the last 6 matches. Also, the 3-0 victory away from home against Atletico Madrid just before the international break was very impressive and has shown that Barcelona are definitely in a better form than they were a few months back. It will be interesting to see how much of their recent form they can manifest in tonight’s big clash in Paris. 

What do the stats say?

• PSG have not lost to FC Barcelona in their last 2 CL home matches
• PSG are unbeaten at home since September in all competitions
• FC Barcelona have not won their last 3 away matches in the CL
• FC Barcelona have only won one out of 6 matches away from home against PSG. 

Our verdict

Again a close clash is expected as there is not a clear winner for this tie beforehand. PSG seem to be slight favourites but Barcelona definitely will fancy their chances. However, Barcelona´s away form in the Champions League is far from perfect and we think that PSG might just get a result in this home game. If it will prove to be enough to reach the Semi Final remains to be seen however.