Paris Saint-Germain vs Manchester City

Parc des Princes forms the backdrop for a ‘make or break’ UEFA Champions League heavyweight clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.

Paris Saint-Germain’s never-ending desire to win a maiden Champions League title has been their undoing this term, with Luis Enrique’s side entering the penultimate round narrowly outside the playoff spots. Anything other than a win in this latest edition of ‘El Cashico’ could be the detriment of PSG’s qualification hopes. However, they’ve emerged victorious from just one of their last seven European games against Manchester City (D2, L4). On the bright side, ‘Les Parisiens’ are in indomitable form at the Parc des Princes, winning nine of their 12 most recent competitive matches on home turf (D2, L1). Against this backdrop, they’ve suffered three defeats from their last five home outings in this competition (W1, D1), including a 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid in November.

Meanwhile, Manchester City received the ultimate confidence boost ahead of this trip, demolishing Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town 5-0 to make it four wins from their last five competitive games (D1). However, their situation in the Champions League is far from idyllic, with a three-game winless run in the league phase (D1, L2) leaving them only a point clear of upcoming rivals PSG pre-round. Unless Pep Guardiola stems the bleeding in Paris, Man City could stare down the barrel of their first group/league phase elimination since 2012/13. Playing on the road doesn’t bode well, given that the Citizens have lost their last two Champions League away games via multi-goal margins. But they can take heart from winning twice on their three most recent road trips without conceding (D1).