2023-24 UEFA Champions League Quarter-Finals: First Leg – PSG vs Barcelona

PSG face Barcelona at Parc des Princes in the first leg of their 2023-24 UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final.

PSG comfortably beat Real Sociedad to advance to this stage, whilst Barcelona edged past Napoli to book their spot in this Quarte-Final.

 

Team News

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Warren Zaire-Emery could return for PSG after he sat out their 1-1 draw against Clermont in Ligue 1 with a thigh injury.

Bradley Barcola (hamstring) is a doubt but Sergio Rico (head), Layvin Kurzawa (back) and Presnel Kimpembe (Achilles) are ruled out.

Achraf Hakimi is suspended after he picked up his third booking of the campaign in their away win at Real Sociedad in the Round of 16.

Barcelona could welcome Andreas Christensen (Achilles) and Frenkie De Jong (ankle) back into contention.

Pedri (hamstring) is a doubt despite having resumed first-team training but Gavi (ACL) and Alejandro Balde (hamstring) remain sidelined.

Ronald Araujo, Christensen, De Jong, Sergi Roberto, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres are just one booking away from missing the home leg next week.

 

When is Kick-Off?

PSG face Barcelona at Parc des Princes on Wednesday 10 April at 9pm CEST (8pm UK Time), live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

  • PSG are unbeaten in eight of their 12 previous Champions League meetings against Barcelona (W4, D4, L4).
  • Barcelona have won one of their six previous Champions League visits to PSG (W1, D2, L3).
  • Both teams have scored in five of their six previous Champions League meetings in Paris.
  • Kylian Mbappe has scored in all four of PSG’s Champions League matches at home this season (W3, D1)
  • Barcelona has won one of their four away matches in this season’s competition (W1, D1, L2).

 

Prediction

Unbeaten at home since late September, PSG certainly will have the belief that they can get the advantage in this first leg but for all of their attacking quality and form, they have managed just four clean sheets in their last 14 home games underlining their defensive vulnerability.

Barcelona however are dealing with injuries at the minute and have suspension concerns but with Robert Lewandowski up front, there is no doubting that the former winners can’t be underestimated because they have scored in all but two matches this season.

I however don’t see this game being as dramatic as previous knockout ties involving this pair but it should be scrappy if entertaining, and a draw might well be the fairest call for this leg.

Prediction: PSG 1-1 Barcelona

Result: PSG 2-3 Barcelona

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