Champions League: PSG Poised to Pounce on Slumping Real

Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid

Without a doubt, PSG vs Real Madrid is the Champions League round-of-16 tie many have been people eagerly anticipating ever since the chaotic draw took place.

The tie is filled with several scrumptious storylines: Sergio Ramos returning to face his old side, Lionel Messi facing his old foe, and Kylian Mbappe going up against his potential future club.

PSG will look to take command of the tie when they host Real, who will not be in the best of form heading into the first leg.

But with star striker Karim Benzema set to make his return, don’t discount the Spanish giants’ Champions League 2022 betting odds of leaving the Parc des Princes with the advantage.

Talking Points

Mbappe set to take centre stage

All eyes will be on PSG’s Kylian Mbappe as he prepares to take on what could very well be his next team in Real Madrid. The 23-year-old is out of contract in the summer, and he has been strongly linked with a move to Madrid over the last few months.

Mbappe will certainly head into the big clash in fine form. He scored the stoppage-time winner in PSG’s 1-0 victory over Rennes over the weekend, his second goal in as many games.

Mbappe has also been PSG’s star performer in the Champions League, with 4 goals and 4 assists in six games.

Messi rediscovering best form

Lionel Messi provided the assist for Mbappe’s winning goal as he continues to rediscover his best form at the right time. The 34-year-old has been playing back in the centre over the last few games, and he has produced some impressive performances. He had a goal and an assist in PSG’s 5-1 thrashing of reigning champions Lille, one of his best performances of the season.

With Neymar still not yet fit to start the first leg, Messi will likely continue to play through the middle against Real Madrid and look to make more Champions League 2022 highlights in Paris.

Similarly, Sergio Ramos is unlikely to be risked to face his old club as he has only just returned to training.

Benzema in a race to be back

Meanwhile, Real Madrid will not head into the first leg in Paris in the best of form. Los Blancos were held to a goalless draw by Villarreal over the weekend as they’ve won just once in their last four matches in all competitions. They lost to Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey and were also held to a 2-2 draw by Elche.

Not surprisingly, Real’s struggles have coincided with Karim Benzema’s absence from the side. The French star has missed the last three games due to an injury.

Benzema has been instrumental to Real Madrid’s success this season with 24 goals on the season, five of which have come in the Champions League.

The most recent Champions League 2022 updates suggest Benzema is still working his way back from injury, and it remains to be seen whether he will play any part in the first leg.

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti has started Rodrygo, Isco and Gareth Bale at centre-forward in Benzema’s absence, and it’s anyone’s guess who will get the call this time around if the Frenchman is unable to start.

History

This will be the 11th meeting between Real Madrid and PSG in top European competition. It’s been quite evenly matched thus far, with Real holding only a slight 4-3 edge, with three draws. Even the goals are very close, with PSG scoring just one more than Real (14-13).

This will be the first time the two sides have met since the 2019 Champions League group stage. PSG won 3-0 at home, then staged a late comeback to hold Real to a 2-2 draw.

Betting Tip

	Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid	Real Madrid Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 1.90
	February 16, 04:00 (GMT+8)

SBOTOP odds have Paris Saint-Germain priced as 2.03 favourites at home. Real Madrid are pegged at 3.45, while a draw is not far behind at 3.50.

While Real Madrid will be sweating the fitness of Benzema, who is so key to their success, they should still be a formidable foe even without the French forward.

Their midfield of Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric is quite capable of controlling a match, even away from home. So don’t be at all surprised if Real Madrid manage to produce a positive result in Paris.

 

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