Real Madrid v PSG Betting Tip Real Madrid – 14 February 2018

Real can get valuable first leg lead

Champions League Tips

Wednesday 14th February 2018 Kick off 1945hrs Real Madrid v PSG Football – Europe – Champions League When the draw for the last 16 was made back in December, this was undoubtedly the tie that most European football fans would have marked in their calendar. Real Madrid – crowned kings of Europe for the past two seasons – up against PSG, the big-spending new kids on the block who are favourites to dethrone Real this year. It has all the makings off a truly memorable couple of games with the victors almost sure to go close to winning the whole competition. In the meantime, lets enjoy what should be sporting entertainment at it’s best.

Real have conquered Europe more than any other team but as soon as one triumph is complete, the focus is on where the next one is going to come from. That’s just the nature of the Spanish giants and it’s been evident this season. Although the 3-1 win over Juventus back in May which secured their second straight Champions League trophy – a bit of history in itself – the critics have been rounding on Zinedine Zidane as Real have stuttered along for the most parts of this campaign. Currently in fourth spot and 17 points behind rivals Barcelona in the race for La Liga, Real can completely write off any hopes they had of defending their domestic honour won last season which leaves them with their full concentration on trying to retain the Champions League. A mixture of injuries to key players for sustained periods and what appears to be the perennial rumours involving transfers to and from the Bernabeu, have plagued Zidane’s team for the most part. Saturday’s 5-2 win at home to Real Sociedad was at least a step in the right direction, not least as three of the goals were scored by Cristiano Ronaldo – a player who needs to bounce back to the form we know he’s capable of if Real are to win this trophy once again.

PSG have been on the periphery of the Champions League elite for a while without every really breaking through. A number of quarter final appearances have suggested they are almost ready to stamp their authority on this competition, but it was last year’s exit to Barcelona at this stage which will live long in the memory as the Parisians surrendered a four goal first leg lead to go out 6-5 on aggregate. It is the biggest turnaround in the knockout stage of the Champions League and one that proved to be the catalyst for their Qatari owners to send a message to the rest of European football with the world record capture of Neymar, ironically from Barcelona and who had a massive part to play in his former club’s comeback. Neymar was joined by the teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe from fellow Ligue 1 outfit Monaco, another player who lit up the competition last season. Their impact has been immediate and they appear to be taking PSG to the next level that the club have craved for the last few years. Finishing above Bayern Munich in the group stage was illustration of that but this is where the real work begins. They look to have the French title sewn up but the likes of Neymar and Mbappe were bought to bring the big one to Paris.

Real Madrid v PSG Betting Tip

It really is a mouth watering tie that we have in store over the two legs of this one. Real Madrid have been nowhere near their best this season having looked as though they would dominate for another couple of seasons. PSG, on the other hand, hit the ground running in the group stages and have cleaned up domestically to demonstrate just how potent they can be. Now pitted together in knockout competition, there are a number of side stories that we will see played out. A French manager of Spanish team up against a Spanish manager of French opposition. The return of Neymar to Spain following his summer move from Barcelona against a team he has been heavily linked with in the past few months. And the grandfather of Europe coming up against what many regards as the new Galaticos.

Real may have stuttered their way through the group stages, eventually finishing behind Tottenham, but they do not lose many home games in Europe. Their current record stands at just one lose in 41 Champions League games played at the Bernabeu – it’s a phenomenal record and one I can see being extended on Wednesday. PSG, for all their qualities and attributes, are still to heal the scars of last season’s dismal exit, and with losses to Lyon and Bayern fresh in the memory of this season, I think they may once again be vulnerable to the experience and craft of this Real Madrid team.

Real Madrid 11/8 @ Betfred