UCL Quarter-Final: PSG vs Barcelona Predictions, Odds
Hakimi Suspended for PSG
Parisians Host First Leg on Wednesday
PSG and Barcelona have played in some Champions League classics in the knockout stage over the past decade. Now, the two sides will meet again in this season’s Quarter-Final. On Wednesday, PSG will host Barça in the first leg and Kylian Mbappe will be looking to get on the scoresheet in a third straight match vs. Barcelona. However, PSG right back Achraf Hakimi is suspended for the match due to yellow card accumulation. As Barcelona will try to keep things close before they head back to Spain for the second leg, we’ll make some PSG vs. Barcelona predictions.
PSG vs Barcelona
Date, time:
Location: Parc des Princes, Paris, France
PSG vs Barcelona Head-to-Head
Paris Saint-Germain have lost just one of their last four matches vs. Barcelona. These teams have played eight Champions League matches against each other in the past decade, though, and Barcelona hold a 4-1-3 record in them.
PSG vs Barcelona predictions will take into account the fact that Kylian Mbappe has scored four goals in his last two games vs. Barcelona. Most recently, PSG defeated Barcelona 5-2 on aggregate in the 2020-21 Round of 16. Mbappe scored a hat trick in the first leg. Their 2016-17 meeting in the Round of 16 was also a classic, as PSG took a 4-0 lead after one leg but Barcelona advanced with a massive 6-1 effort at the Camp Nou.
Enrique Rotates Squad With UCL Match in Sight
Luis Enrique rotated his entire team for Saturday’s Ligue 1 match vs. Clermont Foot. Earlier in the week, Paris Saint-Germain had defeated Rennes 1-0 in the Coupe de France Semifinal. After Steve Mandanda saved Kylian Mbappe’s first half penalty, Mbappe played like a man on a mission. He managed to put the Parisians ahead a few minutes later on a deflected shot and it was the game’s only goal. Mbappe, like the rest of the XI that played vs. Rennes, didn’t start vs. Clermont.
Still, Mbappe played a key role on Saturday as PSG went down in the first half. Ligue 1’s leading scorer didn’t add to his season tally but he did set up Goncalo Ramos for the equalizer. The match finished 1-1 and PSG still hold a 10 point lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table. Paris Saint-Germain are also unbeaten in their last four Champions League fixtures and won both legs in the Round of 16 vs. Real Sociedad.
Mbappe scored three goals over two legs and caused Sociedad all sorts of problems. Teenage midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery has also been superb, as he’s provided three assists in the UCL this season. Zaire-Emery wasn’t included in the squad for the Clermont match, with a slight injury but he should be ready for Wednesday. Nordi Mukiele had a facial injury on Saturday but should also be good to go. Along with Hakimi, Bradley Barcola and Nuno Mendes could also miss out.
Barcelona Enjoying Good Run of Form
Barcelona have won their last four matches, in all competitions, and have kept shutouts in five of their last six. FCB didn’t play over the weekend due to the Copa del Rey but they defeated Las Palmas 1-0 towards the end of March. Joao Felix sent in a cross that Raphinha headed in for the game’s only goal. The game was a little too close for comfort, given Las Palmas goalkeeper Alvaro Valles got sent off in the first half.
Before that, Barcelona defeated Atletico Madrid 3-0 on the road and took down Napoli 3-1 in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16. Robert Lewandowski scored in both legs vs. Napoli and Barcelona managed to win 4-2, on aggregate. Barça haven’t been Champions League winners for nine years but there’s certainly a path for them to reach this year’s final.
However, midfielder Pedri is still working his way back from an injury and is a doubt for the first leg vs. PSG. Xavi could continue to give Fermin Lopez playing time instead and Lopez has scored twice in his last three games. Youngster Pau Cubarsi has also done an excellent job since joining the starting XI. Meanwhile, Frenkie De Jong and Andreas Christensen are both set to return from injury here.
PSG vs Barcelona Match Analysis & Odds
Since Barcelona coach Xavi announced he was resigning at the end of the season, Barcelona have rattled off an 11 game unbeaten streak. Meanwhile, PSG haven’t lost for five months and have gone 27 games without a defeat. Barcelona dealt with Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the Round of 16 but Mbappe is a different animal altogether. Plus, PSG are a more well-rounded side.
One of our PSG vs Barcelona predictions is that Barcelona will not be coming away with a sixth clean sheet in seven matches. PSG have scored in 21 straight home games and we’re confident that streak will continue. Bettors can currently take the Parisians at -105 ATS and moneyline odds. Meanwhile, Barcelona +0.5 sits at -115 odds and the Catalan side are +275 underdogs to take a lead into the second leg.
Marquinhos is healthy again for PSG and their defense is quite strong when their captain is available. However, Hakimi’s suspension is certainly bad news, as the Moroccan defender is quite an asset going forward as well. A draw shows +285 odds as well, while bettors can consider under three goals at -135 odds. We like Mbappe over 3.5 shots at -145, as he’s reached that figure each of the last six times he’s played all 90 minutes.
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