Title favourites, PSG and Manchester City collide at the Parc Des Princes in the first leg of their 2020-21 UEFA Champions League Semi Final.
PSG are bidding to reach the Champions League Final for a second season, whereas Manchester City are looking to reach their first major final in all European competitions.
Team News
Rafinha is a doubt for PSG as he continues to recover from a back injury which has sidelined him for their last two matches.
Marquinhos (groin) is unlikely to feature after missing PSG’s last three matches and could join Alexandre Letellier (thigh) plus Juan Bernat (knee) on the sidelines.
Man City have no fresh injury concerns to report with John Stones set to start this game, due to his suspension only applying to domestic matches, as Pep Guardiola rotates his squad with Kevin De Bruyne amongst six players set for a recall to the starting 11.
Stat Attack
- PSG are winless in two previous Champions League meetings against Manchester City (D1, L1).
- Man City have drawn their only previous away trip to PSG, with Kevin De Bruyne and Fernandinho scoring in a 2-2 draw in April 2016.
- Just three of Kylian Mbappe’s eight Champions League goals this season have come at Parc Des Princes.
- City have lost just one of their four previous Champions League away trips to French opposition (W1, D2, L1).
- Felix Brych is refereeing a game involving PSG and Man City for the first time this season, although he was in charge of City’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid in Last 16 Second Leg last season.
Prediction
PSG will come into this game believing that they could well be on the cusp of a second Final but I do have doubts, especially considering their recent poor home form with just three wins in all competitions since late February.
Should we then focus on their Champions League home record this season then they have failed to beat their three biggest opponents in Manchester United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich which is quite concerning from a confidence perspective.
Pep Guardiola however will ring the changes at Man City with Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne set to start, which will be an issue for PSG if they’re not tuned in mentally given City’s massive attacking threat with those two in the lineup.
City though haven’t exactly enjoyed much success away to French opposition in this competition, but their hosts have strong away form so City probably could do with two away goals to put themselves in a nice position if can play their best football.
Prediction: PSG 1-2 Manchester City
Result: PSG 1-2 Manchester City
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