In what game of the round, Barcelona welcome holders PSG to the Estadio Olimpico Lluis Companys on Wednesday night in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Barcelona kicked off their Champions League campaign with a win, as a stunning brace from Marcus Rashford saw them defeat Newcastle United 1-2 at St James’ Park on an evening where both of The Betting Desk’s selections landed.
Hansi Flick’s hosts also remain unbeaten in La Liga this term, picking up 19 points from a possible 21 (W6-D1-L0), with their 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad at the weekend seeing them return to the top of the La Liga table.
PSG made a winning start to the defence of their Champions League crown, as they thrashed Atalanta 4-0 in the French capital on an evening where our man SlipsTips landed a full house of winners.
After winning each of their opening four Ligue 1 fixtures of the season, Luis Enrique’s visitors suffered a 1-0 defeat to rivals Marseille, but a routine 2-0 win over Auxerre at the weekend saw them return to the top of the Ligue 1 table, above Lyon on goal difference.
How the bookies view it: Barca favourites
Barcelona come into this clash priced up as odds-on favourites to claim all three points here, with BoyleSports pricing them at 20/23.
The reigning European champions are 5/2 underdogs here to leave with all three points, whilst the draw is 3/1.
Head to head: Not much to separate
These two clubs have faced each other 15 times in competitive clashes, with Barcelona winning on six occasions, the Parisians winning five times, and the other four finishing in draws.
The pair last met in the 2023/24 Champions League quarter finals, with Barca winning the first leg 2-3 in the French capital, before the record French champions won the return leg 1-4 on the night and 6-4 on aggregate.
Players to watch: Look to Lewandowski for goals
Robert Lewandowski has had a frustrating start to the campaign, missing their opening day win at Mallorca, whilst only making cameo appearances off the bench due to a muscle injury.
However, the Pole appears to be back to full fitness, with his winner against Real Sociedad at the weekend his fourth goal in five matches, and he is 1/1 at BoyleSports to get on the scoresheet on Wednesday night.
Predicted line-ups:
Barcelona will be without goalkeepers Joan Garcia and Marc-Andre ter Stegen, as well as Gavi, Fermin Lopez and Raphinha.
PSG have several key players missing, with captain Marquinhos, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz all out.
Barcelona: Szczesny, Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Martin, De Jong, Pedri, Yamal, Olmo, Rashford, Lewandowski
Paris Saint-Germain: Chevalier, Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Beraldo, Mendes, Lee, Vitinha, Zaire-Emery, Barcola, Kvaratskhelia, Ramos
Anything else catch the eye?
These two clubs have met on 12 occasions since the 2012/13 season, with the matches averaging an eye-catching 4.08 goals per game, with 10 (83%) seeing goals at both ends, whilst nine (75%) have seen Over 2.5 Goals land.
What’s more, five of the last six and eight of the past 10 have also seen Over 3.5 Goals land and a repeat pays 20/21 at BoyleSports which appeals to me.
GambleAware