Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool

Parc des Princes sets the stage for the first leg of a blockbuster Champions League last-16 tie between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool.

Despite failing to secure automatic last-16 qualification, Paris Saint-Germain issued a decisive warning to other Champions League competitors with a resounding 10-0 aggregate win against domestic rivals Brest in the knockout playoffs. Victories in both legs form part of PSG’s outstanding 22-game unbeaten streak in all competitions (W19, D3), making them one of Europe’s most in-form teams. ‘Les Parisiens’ pulled off an epic second-half comeback to beat Liverpool’s bitter rivals Manchester City 4-2 in this season’s league stage. However, it only barely improved their underwhelming eight-game form against English opposition (W2, D1, L5). On the bright side, it solidified their intimidating European record at the Parc des Princes, where they’ve only lost ten of their last 80 continental fixtures (W50, D20).

PSG’s remarkable home record shouldn’t faze Liverpool, who finished top of the pile in the league phase after winning their first seven matches before a 3-2 loss at PSV Eindhoven on Matchday 8. Arne Slot’s charges had an extra weekend to prepare for this clash after second-tier Plymouth crashed them out of the FA Cup, marking the only match across their last 12 to see them fail to score at least two goals. Despite emerging victorious from five of their eight most recent games against French opposition, the Reds are ominously winless on their last five visits to the country (D2, L3), suggesting they cannot rest easy against runaway Ligue 1 leaders.