Here you’ll find a preview of the upcoming clash between two modern day giants of European football, so have a read to ensure you have all the team information to make the right bets!
Is Messi hitting peak form at the right time?
PSG fans will be hoping so. Lionel Messi produced a brilliant display to help the French champions secure a 5-1 win over Lille on Sunday. Messi has been criticized so far throughout his PSG career, starting slow with only 2 goals in 13 games. Compared to the levels we are so used to seeing from the Argentinian, these numbers don’t even come close.
PSG Manager Pochettino is adamant that we are only now going to be witnessing the best of Messi in a PSG shirt, stating “He needs time to adapt, like anyone. He is the best player in the world”.
The emphatic victory over Lille sends PSG 13 points clear at the top of Ligue 1. PSG fans will be hoping Lionel Messi has hit form at just the right time to guide them to their first ever Champions league trophy.
Although they had no real issues reaching the round of 16, PSG fans would’ve been expecting more from their side only winning 50% of their group games and only one clean sheet in the process. The Parisians will have to tighten up their defence in order to deal with Real Madrid, who come into the last 16 averaging 2.3 goals per game in the group stages.
PSG look likely to be without both Neymar and Sergio Ramos who are close to returning but will most likely miss the first leg of the Round of 16 tie. Sergio Ramos is reportedly in the gym and back running within the week, although the fixture is slightly too early for Ramos to be reunited against his former side.
Karim Benzema to return for Real Madrid?
Real Madrid hope to welcome back star striker Karim Benzena to the side after missing out on their 1-0 win against Grenada on Sunday 6th. The French striker has scored 27 goals in 33 games for the Los Blancos and would be a huge loss if he was to miss out on the clash against PSG.
Real Madrid can also welcome Vinicius back into the squad, after serving a one match suspension for a sending off against Elche in the La Liga.
The Spanish side sit comfortably at the top of La Liga, 6 points ahead of nearest rivals Sevilla. Real also had no difficulties reaching the Round of 16, winning 5 out of their 6 games, only conceding 3 goals in the process while scoring 15.
This equates to 0.5 goals conceded per game in the group stages, with an average of 0.87 in the La Liga. Although Real Madrid face a stiff test with an attacking threat containing two of the worlds best players Messi and Mbappe, who could be finding their feet at the perfect time.
Head to Head
Real Madrid have met PSG on six occasions in history, with the Spanish side coming out on top on three occasions, drawing two and losing one. The last time the pair met was in the 2019 group stages. The game ended 2-2 in an action packed fixture.
The main contrast between the two sides is the European success. Real Madrid are firmly at the top of the leaderboard of Champions league trophies with 13, whereas PSG are yet to succeed in Europe.
Lionel Messi will have serious aspirations of guiding PSG to their first Champions League success, leaving a legacy on the club forever. Messi seems to be back enjoying football after recent injuries and a positive COVID test.
This could be the perfect time to have a prop bet on Lionel Messi to score anytime as he hits form.
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