PSG will need close to a miracle to come back from a 3-1 deficit at Camp Nou against Barcelona. (Getty)
PSG were outmatched in the first leg, en route to a 3-1 home loss to the Catalan giants. Things won’t be any easier for the French club playing in Barcelona.
The big news for Paris Saint-Germain is the availability of previously suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marco Verratti. However, injuries to Thiago Silva and David Luiz (and this) still loom large. Barcelona also get Dani Alves back after he missed the first leg.
Barcelona are coming off a 2-0 league win over Valencia on Saturday at Camp Nou (goals from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez), while PSG traveled to Nice for a 3-1 victory (goals from Javier Pastore and Edinson Cavani.
Barcelona have a nice two-goal lead, but don’t expect them to sit back and hope to win. This team is built to attack, and with the way the trio of Messi, Suarez and Neymar has been playing, PSG’s depleted defense will have trouble once again.
Barca’s defense wasn’t the greatest on Saturday, despite Valencia not finding the back of the net. Ibra and Cavani will have their chances, but with PSG likely pushing all match, that will leave plenty of looks for Barcelona.
Do PSG have a chance? Maybe in this game, but not to advance.
The Basics
Who:
What:
UEFA Champions League quarterfinals (2nd leg)
When:
Tuesday, April 21
Where:
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Time:
2:45 p.m. Eastern Time
8:45 p.m. local time
Channel:
Fox Sports 1 (US) and ESPN Deportes / ITV 1 (UK) / For those looking for the channel in your home country, click here
Odds:
Barcelona 2/5, PSG 7/1, Draw 9/2 (bet365);
Barcelona -1.5 (+102), PSG +1.5 (-117), draw +440, over3 (-149), under3 (+134) (5dimes)
Prediction:
Barcelona are still a hefty favorite even with a two-goal advantage and because of that, PSG are getting more money at the +1.5 line. Don’t fall into that trap. Barcelona won’t hold back. Barcelona 3-1. A repeat score line.
Stats You Need to Know (from UCL)
Scouting Barcelona
Last match: 2-0 home win vs. Valencia
Coach: Luis Enrique, 1st season
Leading Goal Scorer: Lionel Messi, 8; Luis Suarez, 6
Assist Leader: Lionel Messi, 4
Scouting PSG
Last match: 3-1 road win at Nice
Coach: Laurent Blanc, 2nd season
Leading Goal Scorer: Edinson Cavani, 6
Assist Leader: Blaise Matuidi, 2
