Amidst an injury crisis, UEFA Champions League (UCL) holders PSG face one of the toughest tests in football when they travel to Spanish champions Barcelona in a blockbuster clash that tops the billing on matchday two.
Match News and Current Form
Barcelona may not have hit their thrilling attacking stride yet this term, but that’s not stopped them making an unbeaten start to the campaign (W7, D1), with one of those wins a 2-1 success against Newcastle on matchday one of the UCL. Hansi Flick’s side subsequently sit atop La Liga and may sense an opportunity to make a statement to the rest of the continent against the reigning European champions here. Given that they’ve lost just one of their last 12 home matches in the group/league phase of this competition (W8, D3), only the brave would back against them securing that statement win.
Barcelona legend Luis Enrique takes his PSG side to Catalonia looking to send a message of their own, and they certainly did that on matchday one when sweeping Atalanta aside (4-0). The French giants have won their last two UCL games by a combined scoreline of 9-0 when considering last season’s final against Inter, and could now become just the second team to ever win three consecutive UCL games by a 4+ goal margin. Hitting the road won’t necessarily harm their chances either, as the Parisians have won five of their last six UCL away games (L1).
Head-to-Head History
While Barcelona edge the overall H2H stakes (W6, D4, L5), PSG have won on their last two trips to face the Catalan giants, both times by a 4-1 scoreline. The Parisians are looking to become the first side to ever win three successive away games against Barcelona in major European competition.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Seven of Barcelona’s eight matches this season have produced over 2.5 goals.
Barcelona have scored 2+ goals in 11 of their last 12 UCL home games.
None of PSG’s last 100 UCL games have ended goalless.
Just two of PSG’s last 17 matches saw both teams score.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Robert Lewandowski has scored in back-to-back matches for Barcelona, but has historically struggled against PSG having scored just once in five UCL games against them, representing his worst minutes-per-goal ratio against any opponent in the competition (450). Bradley Barcola shoulders PSG’s attacking burden, with three of his four UCL strikes serving as the first or last of the game.
Barcelona have a lengthy absentee list which is headed up by Raphinha. Vitinha and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia both came off injured in PSG’s victory over Auxerre at the weekend, joining a growing injury list that already contains Ousmane Dembélé.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
With so many key attackers missing, backing under 2.5 goals in this heavyweight fight could be a smart route to take.
Author: Ryan Fisher