The Daily Star Ireland
Paris Saint-Germain reaches a critical moment in the Champions League this season, as for now, it is out of the top 24 teams which will qualify for the playoffs, with only two group-stage matches remaining. Strong performances are required if their European campaign is to be kept alive. PSG began with a narrow 1-0 victory against Girona but then faltered to a defeat by Arsenal 2-0, Atlético Madrid 2-1, Bayern Munich 1-0, and a draw with PSV 1-1.
A recent win against Sturm Graz restored their playoff hopes and brought them in touching distance of the crucial 24th place. Domestically, though, PSG is still unbeatable; they top the Ligue 1 table and have a good chance of defending their title. Before this crucial European trip, they play Saint-Étienne and Lens, following their Trophée des Champions win over Monaco 1-0.
Manchester City have had to negotiate probably their toughest two months, managing a solitary victory across the previous couple of months in all competitions. Its further hurt them not doing too well in the Champions League and in the Premier League. Now standing 22nd in Champions league, City are ahead of only PSG and is yet to fight out for the playoff spots.
City’s European campaign had begun auspiciously with a goalless draw against Inter and commanding victories over Slovan Bratislava 4-0 and Sparta Prague 5-0, but defeats to Sporting 4-1 and Juventus 2-0, either side of a 3-3 draw with Feyenoord, revealed some chinks in the armor. In the Premier League, City lies sixth, a long way off the pace, but will look to trim that gap on the top four in forthcoming games against Brentford and Ipswich Town.
PSG goes into this winner-takes-all match with a near-full squad. Defender Presnel Kimpembe is the only long-term absentee for this tie, but Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes will face Manchester City. Unless Warren Zaire-Emery gets preferred, Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Fabian Ruiz will form the midfield trio. Ousmane Dembélé, who has scored nine and assisted five this season, will be joined up front by Bradley Barcola, who retains his place despite a loss of form. The centre-forward position could be given to Désiré Doué or Gonçalo Ramos, who has been in good form.
Manchester City continue to miss Rodri, whose absence has affected their balance. Defender Rúben Dias and young winger Oscar Bobb are doubts for the match while goalkeeper Ederson and defender John Stones are in line to return. Erling Haaland remains the focus of City’s attack, with 16 goals so far in the Premier League and five in the Champions League. The rest of City’s attacking lineup was underperforming compared to Haaland’s good form so far, with midfielder Mateo Kova ić as their second-best scorer in the league with only three goals.
Both teams have a knack for high-scoring games. City have scored 22 goals in their last five away Champions League matches, and there have been over 2.5 goals in 15 of the last 20 PSG home games. This will be an action-packed encounter.
Prediction
The most expected is for PSG to leverage all advantages of home to edge with a slender 2-1 victory against Manchester City. While Manchester City’s attack has the knack for finding the net, they could hardly match up with PSG’s energy in this tie.
Prediction: PSG 2 – 1 Manchester City
