Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid
It is the heavyweight Champions League clash of the week and one which would grace the latter stages of the competition, let alone a Group A opener.
A match featuring plenty of talent ready to create the opening Champions League highlights of the new seasons.
While not all the stars will be on show at the Parc des Princes for a variety of reasons, it remains THE fixture in Europe this week.
Talking Points
In one corner you have the most successful club in Europe with 13 European Cup/Champions League titles, including three on the bounce until their reign was brutally ended by Ajax last spring.
That was a victory that seemed to mark the end of a generation, Real no longer able to conquer without Cristiano Ronaldo who at times had singlehandedly driven them to the 2018 final just months previously.
In the other corner, you have a club which has spent as much as any of Europe’s elite in recent times in a desperate attempt to win the trophy for the first time.
A club with a point to prove, with an outlay which has been vast yet has fallen short when it matters most, even throwing away a 2-0 advantage to bow out against an understrength Manchester United last season.
A club which is desperate to make an impression on the Champions League. Remember, the Parisians have failed to make it past the Round of 16 for the last three seasons after three straight quarter-final appearances.
While Zinedine Zidane returned to the Real role shortly after that Ajax defeat last March, he is now building a new team he hopes can emulate its predecessors.
Still one with stellar names such as Toni Kroos, French forward Karim Benzema and, for now anyway, Gareth Bale, but also blooding new faces expensively assembled this summer such as Chelsea favourite Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic and Eder Militao.
This match will certainly provide an opportunity for Los Blancos’ new signings to showcase their ability.
In contrast, Thomas Tuchel’s side will likely be without their attacking trident as Edinson Cavani has not recovered from an injury, nor Kylian Mbappe, while Neymar will not be able to feature due to the suspension he received for his ridiculous comments about the referee in last year’s last 16 elimination.
Not that the histrionics of the Brazilian will be missed much, by opponents or his own team judging by the reception he received in his first start of the season at the weekend.
His determined but unsuccessful push to return to Barcelona this summer, which involved him even offering to pay 20m euros of his own money to force it through, has naturally gone down like a lead balloon.
So no Neymar, no longer Ronaldo, no Mbappe – no problem. A blockbuster still awaits.
History
When these two sides meet, Real Madrid win when it matters.
Granted, they have only met on five occasions in recent years but Real have firmly put the Parisians in their place.
They first met in the group stages of the 2015/16 competition when a goalless draw in Paris was followed by a 1-0 Real success in Madrid, courtesy of a Nacho Fernandez goal.
They would go onto win the competition.
Fast forward to 19 months ago and many felt PSG was best placed to end Real’s European domination.
They travelled to Madrid having spent big on the likes of Neymar and Mbappe and critics thought they looked on course when Adrien Rabiot put them in front.
Of course, then Cristiano Ronaldo and co showed them why they were European champions.
He netted twice and Marcelo the other in a 3-1 win before they completed a 5-2 aggregate success with a 2-1 victory in the Paris second leg – Ronaldo and Casemiro the men on target.
Paris have not beaten Madrid since George Weah scored the only goal at the Bernabéu in their UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-final first leg in March 1994.
Betting Tip
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Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid | Total Goals 2-3 @ 2.04 |
| September 19, 03:00 (GMT+8) |
The SBOBET Champions League betting odds favour the hosts this time, especially as Real appear to be a club in transition.
The hosts are priced 1X2 @ 2.19 with Real @ 3.00 and the draw @ 3.55
Asian Handicap odds also lean towards the Ligue One champions with PSG -0.50 @ 2.21 an attractive option, although so is Real 0.00 @ 2.42.
A re-run of their last meeting in Paris 18 months ago – correct score PSG 1-2 Real – is on offer @ 11.00. PSG have not kept a clean sheet in their past six Champions League home games.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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