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Last year’s finalists Manchester City will look to secure UEFA Champions League knockout football when they welcome Paris Saint-Germain to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.
Manchester City, who are at the top of Champions League Group A, sit a point ahead of PSG. A win on Wednesday night would see the Premier League champions sail into the Round of 16 with a game in hand.
The Citizens are capable of beating any team on their day, but so are the visitors. As a matter of fact, it was Paris Saint-Germain who came out on top in the reverse fixture, and comfortably too. Goals from Idrissa Gueye and Lionel Messi were enough to secure a 2-0 win for PSG in Paris.
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Can Manchester City return the favor or will PSG do the double over the Sky Blues?
Here are our top five predictions for PSG’s highly-anticipated trip to the Etihad Stadium in the UEFA Champions League:
#5 Manchester City to revert to a traditional 4-3-3 formation with Gabriel Jesus
Pep Guardiola is one of the most enigmatic coaches in world football. The former Barcelona boss loves to tinker with his squad and keep his contemporaries guessing. In the upcoming game against PSG, however, he is likely to go back to a tried and tested formula.
At the Parc des Princes in September, Pep Guardiola used a 'false nine' system, instructing Raheem Sterling to act as the focal point of attack. The Englishman cut a frustrating figure at the top that night and was eventually subbed out.
With Ferran Torres ruled out with a foot injury and Gabriel Jesus returning to full training, we could see Manchester City go back to basics.
Expect Jesus to lead the line with Sterling and Phil Foden flanking the Brazilian.
#4 PSG to benefit from Kevin De Bruyne’s absence
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has tested positive for COVID-19 and is ruled out for the PSG clash.
The Belgian operates as City’s creator-in-chief, meaning PSG midfielders could enjoy an easier day at the office this Wednesday.
Marco Verratti, Gini Wijnaldum and Idrissa Gueye will look to put pressure on Ilkay Gundogan and co. and might peg them back a few times.
Manchester City’s midfield is still well-equipped to hurt PSG, of course, but they might not be at their ruthless best without their prized Belgian.
#3 Lionel Messi to make life difficult for Joao Cancelo
Both Manchester City and PSG are pegged to go deep into the UEFA Champions League this season. Their squad depth is enviable and most of their star players are firing on all cylinders.
On Wednesday, we will see two in-form superstars go head-to-head at the Etihad Stadium and the victor could very well decide the game’s outcome.
Manchester City left-back Joao Cancelo has been in impressive form this season. The Portuguese is a great dribbler, knows how to beat defenders, and is quite dependable at the back as well.
The marauding full-back has scored twice and assisted thrice in four Champions League appearances this season, which goes on to show how prolific he has been.
PSG star Lionel Messi needs no introduction. After a couple of rough initial weeks, Messi has settled down nicely at PSG.
Despite not being at his 100 per cent, he has already scored thrice in the Champions League, one of which came against City in the reverse fixture.
The two are destined to butt heads multiple times over the course of the 90 on Tuesday and we cannot wait to see how this one pans out.
#2 Kylian Mbappe to be the key man for PSG
Messi may very well be the talk of the town on Wednesday, but it’s his teammate Kylian Mbappe who could end up stealing the show. The Frenchman has been in scintillating form for Paris Saint-Germain this season and will be the one to look out for against Manchester City.
Mbappe’s dancing feet, blistering pace and ruthless finishing have turned him into the perfect specimen for a modern-day goalscorer. Manchester City should line up with Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte and Joao Cancelo at the back.
The line-up is capable of stopping Mbappe, of course, but even the tiniest of slipups could end up being catastrophic.
Mbappe already has eight goals and 12 assists to his name this season and we fully expect him to add to his tally on Wednesday.
#1 Manchester City and PSG to play out an enthralling draw
Mauricio Pochettino and Pep Guardiola have built two of the strongest teams on the continent. The two managers have exchanged blows in the Premier League countless times. Most importantly, they are both desperate to end their respective club’s Champions League anguish.
A win on Wednesday for either team would see them secure Champions League Round of 16 football. A draw, on the other hand, will keep third-placed RB Leipzig, currently four points behind, in the race until matchday six.
Given the determination they have and the quality they possess, both Manchester City and PSG are expected to score some goals.
However, neither team might be able to get the goal that settles it. We expect PSG and Manchester City to play out an enticing draw at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.
