Tuesday 14th February 2016 Kickoff: 1945hrs PSG v Barcelona Football – Europe – Champions League The pick of the two Champions League games taking place on Tuesday takes place in the French capital as two sides very familiar to each other clash in this competition once again. PSG have faced Barcelona in three of their last four Champions League but it takes little away from the anticipation of seeing two of the most glamorous clubs in Europe clash. There’s some extra spice added to this one was it will be the first time that Spaniard Unai Emery has faced a team from his homeland since making the move to Paris last summer.
PSG would have been kicking themselves by failing to top their section. Knowing they only needed to beat Bulgarian side Ludogorets to guarantee a first place finish, the Parisians were unable to finish the job and therefore faced the prospect of drawing a harder tie in this round – and they do not get much harder than Barcelona. It would have been frustrating for Emery who has essentially been brought in with a view to making progress in Europe where they have failed to get past the quarter final stage. This season has definitely been one of transition for the club, particularly with their talisman for the last few seasons, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, moving on in the summer. Emery resisted the urge to buy another striker and put his faith in Edison Cavani who has repaid his manager, averaging more than a goal a game this season. He will be crucial over these two ties if PSG are to progress.
It has been business as usual for Barcelona in the Champions League as the y negotiated the group stage with consummate ease. They took 15 points from their six games and scored 20 goals in the process, sending out a signal to the rest of Europe at the same time. Expectation is such at the Nou Camp that the Champions League and La Liga are the targets each season and although they won the latter in 2015/16, their exit at the quarter final stage to Atletico Madrid in this competition was a massive disappointment as they looked to be the first team to retain the trophy they won the previous campaign. Although they trail Real Madrid by one point in Spain at the moment, they’ve also played two games more and have a huge fight on their hands to make that up. Whilst Luis Enrique will strive to win both it could be that the Champions League takes on a little more prominence earlier than normal as he looks to right the wrongs of last season.
PSG v Barcelona Betting Tip
Barcelona have held the upper hand in meetings between the two over the last few years. In their six meetings the four-time winners have won three and drawn two, with PSG’s only success coming in the 2014/15 group stage – a game they won 3-2 at home. Interestingly, all three meetings between the two at the Parc des Princes have seen both teams scoring and at least three goals scored in them.
You have to think that with Barcelona’s home form in the Champions League absolutely imperious (won 18 and drawn one of their last 19) that PSG really have to get a result tonight to give them a chance of winning the tie overall. With that need to win, essentially, it should make for an open an entertaining game and the trends when these two meet are clear – there’s usually goals. Both teams to score looks nailed on in this one and should be backed.
Both teams to score 4/6 @ Bet365
