PSG takes on Real Madrid in arguably the outstanding R16 tie with both sides looking to go all the way in the tournament this season.
Here is the latest key betting intel from our football experts ahead of kickoff on Tuesday night at 22:00 CAT. Use booking code C8BCD92 to auto-fill your slip with betPawa.
🏟 Match preview
PSG made the final in 2020 and went out at the semifinal stage last season to Man City, so they’re starting to prove their pedigree at this level, but the club’s hierarchy will be demanding that they go all the way sooner rather than later.
The Parisians boast a mouthwatering attacking trio on paper but Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar have yet to gel to devastating effect. It’s going to happen sooner rather than later though when these big Champions League nights roll around.
Real Madrid, the most successful side in the competition’s history, has only scored once in their last three matches across all competitions. They’ll be sweating over the fitness of talisman and main goal-getter Karim Benzema, who has been missing since their 2-2 draw with Elche on January 23rd. It remains to be seen what type of role he’ll play tonight.
Lionel Messi is set to face Real Madrid for the 46th time in his illustrious career, and for the very first time in a jersey other than Barcelona’s. The stage is set for two of Europe’s most powerful clubs to do battle in the Paris night sky.
🧮 🔮 Likely XIs
PSG (4-3-3):
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Mendes; Verratti, Gueye, Wijnaldum; Messi, Mbappé, Di María
Real Madrid (4-3-3):
Courtois; Carvajal, Militão, Alaba, Mendy; Modrić, Casemiro, Kroos; Asensio, Benzema, Vini Jr.
Key stats
- Since their UCL semifinal defeat here to Man City in April, Mauricio Pochettino’s PSG side has lost just one match at Parc des Princes (W16, D1) – and that was on penalties.
- Kylian Mbappé was PSG’s injury-time hero against Rennes at the weekend, and three of his four UCL goals this term arrived inside the opening ten minutes of matches.
- Mbappé has scored six times in six starts in 2022.
- Vinícius Júnior has netted six of his last seven goals after the half-time break.
- Madrid kept four group stage clean sheets this season, a joint-high in the tournament.
Los Blancos boast a formidable UCL last 16 record, losing just one of their last 11 away matches at this stage (W8, D2), opening the scoring in six of the last eight.
💶 BEST BET: Under 2.5 goals and the draw is priced temptingly at 4.00 at the time of writing on betPawa.
