This game, between a Ligue 1 superteam in PSG and La Liga’s Real Madrid, will be the first leg of the Round of 16 matchup in the UEFA Champions League.
Neymar, who has just returned from injury, has been included in the PSG squad with Karim Benzema also passing a late fitness test.
PSG finished second in Group A behind Manchester City whilst Real Madrid was topped Group D.
PSG is currently atop Ligue 1, while Real Madrid is No. 1 in La Liga.
PSG vs. Real Madrid: Odds, picks and predictions
PSG are fixed at 1.936 odds to beat Real Madrid in the first leg.
Real Madrid have odds at 4.14 to beat PSG in the first leg.
A draw is set at 3.86 odds.
Prediction
PSG 3-1 Real Madrid
With arguably two of the best forwards in the world, PSG is a handful offensively. Led by F Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, PSG’s top-heavy attack has proven devastating to Ligue 1 competition.
PSG also played well in the group stage, ending with a 5-goal difference. With Man City in the group, it had a much more challenging route.
The big deal here is the likely absence of Benzema. He could play, but even if he takes the pitch, at what level can he keep up? Benzema had led the team in scoring this season.
While Real played well in Champions League action, it is just 1-1-2 in all competition over the past few weeks. With PSG 3-1-0 recently, I’d side with the team entering healthier, playing better and at home.
Goals are expected
Real has scored at least 2 goals in 4 straight Champions League matches. Similarly, PSG averaged over 2 goals per game throughout the group stage round.
Real hasn’t faced a team the same caliber as PSG’s this season (having not played any high-level Premier League or Bundesliga sides).
Despite its defense being dominant in the group stage round and in league play, it’d be shocking to not see PSG breakthrough multiple times. PSG is averaging over 2 goals per game in Ligue 1 play as well.
