Real Madrid will welcome PSG to Santiago Bernabeu this Wednesday for the second leg of their blockbuster last 16 tie in the UEFA Champions League.
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid)
Key Statistics
Real Madrid haven’t lost at home since late September (W10, D3).
They have scored in each of their last six games at home.
The hosts are unbeaten against PSG in their last three head-to-head meetings at home.
Karim Benzema has scored after the 75th minute in each of Madrid’s last three games.
Paris Saint-Germain have won none of their last four UCL away matches (D2, L2).
They have lost their last two away games and have one win in their last four away from home in all competitions (D1, L2).
Kylian Mbappé has netted the opener in all four of his UCL goal-scoring appearances this term.
Head to head
Both teams have four wins each in the eleven times they have met in the past (D3).
Latest performances in all competitions
Real Madrid:W-W-W-L-D
PSG: L-W-L-W-W
Real Madrid
Real Madrid welcome Paris Saint Germain to the Santiago Bernabeu looking to get the result that will take them to the next round of the UEFA Champions League.
After much waiting, and amid much fanfare, the first leg blockbuster clash between the French Champions and the Spanish Giants was played last month, with Kylian Mbappe getting the only goal of the night to keep his team in the control room heading into the return leg.
Los Blancos are currently in a three-game winning streak and are off the back of a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad over the weekend and Carlo Ancelotti will fancy his team as the more likely to progress to the next round considering the home ground factor and the form of Karim Benzema.
The French man has been in imperious form lately and will be instrumental in this game. Having been rushed back from injury into the lineup in the first leg, Benzema had little or no impact on the night. But has so far, he has scored in each of his last three games. And so, Carlo Ancelotti will bank on his lethal chemistry with Vinicius Juniors to unlock the Parisien back line this time around.
Over the years Los Blancos and Carlo Ancelotti have turned into a trophy magnet and hold the record for most Champions League trophy for both club and coach. The hosts will heavily rely on the man who presided over their La Decima winning season to come up with yet another strategy to beat the Parisien Club in the second time of asking.
Possible Real Madrid starting line-up
Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Nacho, Marcelo; Luka Modric, Edouard Camavinga, Marco Asensio; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema.
Injured: Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Ferland Mendy, Federico Valverde
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
PSG
PSG are looking like a confused club this season under Mauricio Pochettino following a series of underwhelming results.
The Argentinean coach has recently given his detractors more reason to slate him having been unable to come up with a formula that will get the best out of his star-studded squad, comprising statistically speaking, the most talented single individuals in the football world.
Having won the first leg at home thanks to Kylian Mbappe who continues to shine this season, PSG find themselves in the driver’s seat and are the punters’ odds-on favourite to win this encounter despite their recent struggles
However, while Real Madrid have recorded a three-game winning streak after their first encounter with PSG, the Paris-based team have contrastingly won one out of their last three games and are on the brink of collapse judging from their current form, unless head coach Mauricio Pochettino finds a way to stem the tide
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe, who missed the weekend loss to OGC Nice, will return to the starting lineup against Real Madrid. He will be expected to continue his fine form and finish the job he started in the first leg and ensure his team progresses to the next round.
Possible PSG starting line-up
Gianluigi Donnarumma; Thilo Kehrer, Marquinhos, Abdou Diallo, Juan Bernat; Danilo Pereira, Idrissa Gueye, Marco verratti; Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Neymar.
Injured: Achraf Hakimi, Ander Herrera, Layvin Kurzawa, Leandro Paredes, Sergio Ramos
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Prediction
Real Madrid 3-1 PSG
