Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City are looking to save their European campaigns on Wednesday when they lock horns in the French capital.
Both teams made hugely underwhelming starts in Europe’s premier competition and are far from guaranteed safe passage to the knockout phase. PSG are in a particularly perilous position having accumulated a mere seven points from their opening six matches, currently leaving them outside the play-off qualification spots.
Man City have only managed one point more than Wednesday’s opponents having lost two and drawn one of their previous three European excursions. They can take an enormous step towards securing their place in the play-offs with victory at Parc des Princes but defeat would leave them with a nerve-inducing visit from Club Brugge in their final league phase outing.
These two Middle Eastern-owned sides have been regular foes in the Champions League since their rapid ascents to the upper echelons of European football, with Man City boasting the superior record in past meetings. However, PSG did secure victory the last time Pep Guardiola’s side visited Paris in 2021/22.
PSG have several concerning defensive issues to contend with on Wednesday evening, with skipper Marquinhos and right-back Achraf Hakimi potentially missing out. Both have been absent in recent matches but the Moroccan right-back should be available in some capacity.
Ousmane Dembele has been absent during the last two games due to illness but should return midweek, while January recruit Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is ineligible to feature as he can’t be registered in PSG’s Champions League squad until the knockout rounds.
PSG predicted lineup vs Man City (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Pacho, Hernandez, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Ruiz; Dembele, Doue, Barcola.
Ruben Dias made his much-anticipated return at the weekend and partnered Manuel Akanji in the centre of defence. The Portuguese totem may feature again on Wednesday due to injuries to Nathan Ake and John Stones.
Elsewhere, Man City are only without long-term absentees Rodri and Oscar Bobb, with the remainder of Guardiola’s squad available to him in France.
The Catalan coach is unlikely to make sweeping changes from the side that beat Ipswich Town 6-0 on Sunday as the Cityzens chase a much-needed European victory.
Man City predicted lineup vs PSG (4-3-3): Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Silva, Kovacic, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Savinho.
