Champions League: Leaders PSG Look to Keep Leipzig Pointless

RB Leipzig vs Paris Saint-Germain

RB Leipzig’s hopes of making it to the Champions League knockout round are all but over halfway through the campaign. The Germans have lost each of their first three games as they have struggled in Europe under new coach Jesse Marsch.

But Marsch’s men have shown signs of improvement on home turf in the Bundesliga. They will look to pick up their first points of the campaign against Group A leaders Paris Saint-Germain, who are one point ahead of Manchester City.

The Champions League 2021 betting odds will once again have PSG as significant favourites to win. However, the Parisians could be without superstar Lionel Messi, who was instrumental in their comeback win over Leipzig in their first meeting in Paris.

Talking Points

Leipzig showing some signs of progress

Will RB Leizpig discover their best form to beat PSG in their next Champions League match? — RB Leipzig boss Jesse Marsch talks with Yussuf Poulsen during their Bundesliga match against Eintracht Frankfurt

Jesse Marsch is slowly showing signs of improvement in Leipzig after a very rocky start. His Red Bulls have now gone six games unbeaten in the Bundesliga (three wins, three draws) after a 1-1 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt over the weekend.

Leipzig continue to struggle away from home, though. Their draw against Frankfurt was their third straight 1-1 draw in the league and they are still searching for their first away win under Marsch outside of the DFB Pokal.

However, Leipzig did give PSG a scare in Paris last time out in the Champions League but ultimately lost 3-2. Andre Silva had a brilliant game with a goal on seven shots, one of which hit the woodwork.

The Red Bulls will look to get their revenge in Leipzig, where they have been in much better form. Leipzig have won four of five home games in the league, with their only loss coming to Bayern Munich. Moreover, the Red Bulls have scored 18 goals in those five games.

Christopher Nkunku has scored a handful of those goals and has also been in phenomenal form in the Champions League. He’s currently the competition’s leading scorer with four goals. He has not found the net in his last five appearances, but the Paris-born player will surely be ready to perform well in his hometown.

PSG’s superstar front three still misfiring

PSG have been the comeback kings this season. They won their big showdown with reigning champions Lille 2-1 this weekend, the third time in their last four games they’ve come from behind to win.

The Parisians continue to find ways to win despite their vaunted front three of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar still struggling to fire on all cylinders.

Messi was substituted at half-time as PSG were 1-0 behind. It was another Argentine in Angel Di Maria who inspired the victory with a goal and an assist.

Coach Mauricio Pochettino claimed Messi was taken off as a precaution due to an injury, so it remains to be seen whether Messi will be able to play in midweek.

Messi has surprisingly been a major disappointment thus far in Ligue 1. He has yet to record a goal or an assist in his first five appearances. But he has been producing Champions League 2021 highlights and has three goals in three games, including a stunner against Man City.

Kylian Mbappe – who missed the Lille match with a throat infection – could be back in time to play in Leipzig, which would ease the pain of a potential Messi absence. Achraf Hakimi is also expected to return to the side after serving out a league suspension.

Meanwhile, PSG could also use more production out of Neymar, who has been criticised for his poor form of late. The Brazilian has scored just once this season, although he did provide the assist for Di Maria’s winning goal against Lille.

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History

This will be the fifth meeting between the two clubs in the space of just over a year. After PSG’s comeback win the other week, they now hold a 3-1 edge in terms of wins.

Although, Leipzig did win their home group-stage meeting last season 2-1 thanks to goals from Nkunku and Emil Forsberg as they fought back after an early Di Maria goal.

Betting Tip

	RB Leipzig vs Paris Saint-Germain	1X2 Paris Saint-Germain @ 2.13
	November 4, 04:00 (GMT+8)

SBOTOP odds have PSG priced as 3.00 favourites away against Leipzig, who are pegged at 2.13 to win at home. Meanwhile, a draw is at 3.70.

This will be an interesting match for Marsch. They have very little chance of going through after failing to pick up a point in their first three games. So he may opt to field a slightly weaker side and instead focus on their big home showdown against Borussia Dortmund this weekend.

A Leipzig side at less than full strength should be a big boost for PSG, who have not been too convincing this season. Even with Messi’s possible absence, Mbappe’s return should still help them pick up another win against the Red Bulls.