FC Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain, Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips 16/04/2024
Calendar icon Updated 15 Apr 09:09

FC Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain, Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips 16/04/2024

Kai Edvard Iliev Kai Edvard Iliev

Odds via Tonybet

FC Barcelona vs Paris Saint-GermainMarch 16th, 2024, 3:00 PM EDT
FC Barcelona odds+123
Paris Saint-Germain odds+200
Draw+290
Over\Under3 -132/+110

FC Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain. Shape of the Teams

Barcelona’s manager Xavi is in a tight spot but has made a great first step toward the semi-final qualification of the UEFA Champions League by securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory against PSG at Parc des Princes. 

Barca also just narrowly edged past relegation-threatened Cádiz with a 1-0 win, and their encounter on Tuesday in Barcelona will be followed by El Clásico at the Bernabeu just five days later.

Despite the potential for a morale-boosting victory against its archenemy, Barcelona remains unlikely to claim the La Liga title this season – they currently trail Real Madrid by eight points. As the season approaches its climax, there is not much that can keep Los Blancos from winning the title. 

Barcelona faces midfield troubles ahead of the clash with PSG due to Christensen’s suspension, with no direct replacement available. Another issue is whether Pedri should start, but with limited options- Roberto and Fermín are the only alternatives – it is tough not to start with him. 

On the other hand, Paris Saint-Germain’s weekend game against Lorient was postponed. Although this might seem like a minor detail at first glance, it could result in a lack of match sharpness. These kinds of details can alter the course of games at the highest level. 

However, there’s a silver lining for PSG: Ugarte, Hakimi, and Barcola are all expected to return for the crucial second leg at Montjuic, which would allow Paris to compete at a higher level than in the first leg.

Predicting Luis Enrique’s line-up and tactical plan for the upcoming UCL game is difficult. In the first half of the previous match, the unexpected decisions of the PSG coach negatively impacted their game. However, in the second half, after several substitutions, the interaction between Zaïre-Emery and Barcola on the right flank proved effective, and the switching of positions between Mbappe and Dembele in the left half-space was productive.

It’s unclear who Enrique will select for the flanks and whether he will use holding midfielder Manuel Ugarte. In the first match, Vitinha played as a holding midfielder but didn’t perform well. However, in the second half, after a few substitutions by Enrique, Vitinha excelled in the attacking eight role, scoring his team’s second goal.

Will Luis Enrique experiment with the line-up in the second match? Will he rely on long passes behind Barcelona’s defenders to get into the other team’s half? Or will he take the risk of overcoming the opponents’ pressing through short passes? We’ll only find the answers during the match.

FC Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain Match Info

FC Barcelona vs Paris-Germain, Odds

Before the start of the season, few people had predicted Barcelona to make a deep run in the Champions League. And even fewer believed they would have a serious chance to qualify for the semi-finals. 

Barcelona’s last deep run was in 2019, just before the pandemic. Barca’s squad at the time still included icons like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets. Today’s squad paints a very different picture, with the focus on young talents like Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí and Pedri González. 

Barca struggled with dysfunction throughout much of the season until a few months ago, when they suffered a 3-5 defeat against Villarreal – which Raphinha cites as a turning point.

Many thought Xavi was not able to turn the tide and that this was a cul-de-sac for Barcelona. However, has since found consistency and will enter the PSG clash with six clean sheets in a row. 

Another key factor was Xavi’s public announcement that he would leave at the end of the season. This announcement motivated the club to send him off on a positive note. As a result, the players have been putting in extra effort.

If anything, all the victories are now dedicated to Xavi as an acknowledgment of his work. So much so that club executives continue to urge him to reconsider his decision.

In the match against PSG, the lack of a defensive midfielder will be a real problem for Xavi, as the suspended Christensen leaves a void in transition. Barcelona finally found stability in the last months, and Christensen’s shift in the midfield was a big reason for it. 

Xavi attempted to replace him with Romeu in the match against Cádiz, but he proved to be a major liability. In that respect, there isn’t much Xavi can do. However, he’s still got a one-goal advantage and the benefit of playing at home. 

On the other hand, Hakimi’s return for PSG would not only mean the return of a great player but also allow Enrique to push Zaire-Emery back to the midfield, therefore changing the dynamics in comparison to the previous encounter at the Parc des Princes.

FC Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain Betting Tip

Few players could be mentioned above Lamine Yamal. Despite a less-than-stellar performance at the Parc des Princes, the electric atmosphere at Montjuic should inspire the teenager to perform better in the return. 

Xavi mentioned in the Cádiz presser that ‘we have a tremendous football war on Tuesday’ [vs. Paris Saint-Germain]. Sources claim the stadium is close to being sold out, which is a first in a long time. Montjuic has attracted fewer fans due to high ticket prices amid ongoing renovations at Camp Nou.

This match will also mark the controversial return of Ousmane Dembélé to Barcelona, who is now viewed unfavourably by many of the local fans. 

The goal is to create a stadium full of pressure, and this setting could raise Lamine Yamal’s spirits. On his best days, few players can stop him, which is why I expect him to be a dangerous player on Tuesday, if not the standout performer of the match.

Disclaimer: Odds are accurate at the time of posting and subject to change. Please verify the latest odds on our platform before betting.

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