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Kick off: Wednesday, 21.10.2015. @20:45
Venue: Parc des Princes
Head to head record
PSG vs Real Madrid 0-1 (Club friendly)
PSG vs Real Madrid 0-1 (Club friendly)
PSG vs Real Madrid prediction
Buoyed by a five-match winning run on all fronts, Paris Saint-Germain head into the high-profile clash determined to prove they have what it takes to challenge the Champions League trophy. Meanwhile, los Blancos have been far from convincing of late and they definitely need to show improvement in order to get something from this game.
From strength to strength
Paris Saint-Germain clearly had money to spent following the arrival of Qatari owners, but it is how that cash was invested that ultimately made all the difference. The Saints did recruit a number of world-class players, but they always had the end product in mind and never signed more footballers than they needed. As a result, the club quickly became the dominant force on domestic stage, while proving their worth in Europe as well. Paris Saint-Germain reached the Champions League quarter-finals three years in a row and no doubt they are hoping to go at least one step further this time out. The start of the new campaign is enough to suggest that is not an unrealistic goal with Laurent Blanc’s charges easing off to a home win over Malmo FF (2-0) before hammering very good Shakhtar side (3-0) on the road. And having also win last three Ligue 1 matches without too many problems, they can definitely be trusted to make life difficult for mighty Real Madrid, especially with the likes of Ibrahimovic, Cavani and Lucas Moura up front.
First choice goalkeeper Kevin Trapp should return from a thigh problem, but Marco Verratti misses out through a calf injury and David Luiz is doubtful.
Real Madrid is available at 6/1 exclusive price to win at Parc des Princes.
Serious selection worries
Many were surprised to see Rafael Benitez elected as the man to replace Carlo Ancelotti, but the former Liverpool and Napoli boss has done fairly well at the start of his career at Santiago Bernabeu. The opening draw with Sporting Gijon was followed by five straight wins in all competitions, although back to back La Liga stalemates against Malaga and Atletico Madrid did act as a minor blows to the players’ confidence. In all fairness, Benitez has experienced plenty of selection issues from the very start of his reign, with the likes of James Rodriguez, Danilo, Sergio Ramos and Pepe missing the large chunk of the opening exchanges. The situation is slowly improving on both the injury front and regarding results, with weekend’s 3-0 triumph over Levante definitely a step in the right direction. Real Madrid will now want to make a giant step towards the first place in the group by winning at Parc des Princes and even with some important attackers missing, the front line should be capable of extending the good scoring run in Paris.
Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez, Daniel Carvajal and Karim Benzema are definitely out, but Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos should be fit to play.
PSG vs Real Madrid betting tip
Paris Saint-Germain are on top of their game and it is hardly surprising they have been made favourites to claim maximum points. The Saints boast a remarkable attacking potential and with Real Madrid relying on the likes of Ronaldo, Isco and Lucas Vazquez, over 2.5 goals is the obvious choice here.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals
Odds: 1.83 (5/6) @Coral
