Champions League winners PSG take on Europa League winners Aston Villa in the Super Cup in Salzburg on Wednesday night.
PSG managed to retain their Champions League crown last season, but did so in very different circumstances.
After thumping Inter 5-0 to secure their maiden Champions League trophy, Luis Enrique’s men required a penalty shootout to defeat Arsenal last season, after the game finished 1-1.
The perennial Ligue 1 champions also defeated an English opponent in the Super Cup last season, mounting a late comeback to draw 2-2 with Spurs before defeating the North London side on penalties.
Aston Villa secured their first European trophy in 46 years, as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over Bundesliga side Freiburg in the Europa League final – on an evening I landed a 10/11 winner.
Unai Emery’s men also had a successful Premier League campaign, as they finished in fourth position, five points clear of then-reigning champions Liverpool in fifth.
How the bookies view it: PSG Favourites
PSG are favourites to retain their Super Cup crown, with bet365 pricing the Parisians at just 2/5 To Lift the Trophy, whilst the win inside 90 minutes is 3/4.
Aston Villa are 2/1 to win the Super Cup for the second time in their history, whilst the win inside regulation time is priced at 7/2.
Head to head: Fond memories for the Parisians
These two clubs met in the quarter-finals of the Champions League the season before last, with PSG squeezing past 5-4 on aggregate en route to lifting their maiden Champions League crown.
Players to watch: More magic from Kvaradona
Unlike the majority of his teammates, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had the summer off after Georgia failed to reach the World Cup finals for the first time, so he should be fresh for this clash.
The Georgian winger has provided a goal contribution in seven of his previous eight appearances in the Champions League (seven goals & three assists), and is an appealing 4/5 at bet365 to Score or Assist in Salzburg on Wednesday.
Predicted line-ups:
Paris Saint-Germain: Safonov, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes, Vitinha, Neves, Ruiz, Mbaye, Kvaratshkelia, Dembele
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen, Kamara, Gomes, McGinn, Buendia, Garnacho, Watkins
Anything else catch the eye?
Gos look the best bet in Salzburg on Wednesday night, with Both Teams to Score paying an appealing 4/5 at bet365.
Both Teams to Score has paid out in 12 of the Parisians previous 16 Champions League contests, whilst eight of Villa’s last 10 Premier League fixtures have produced goals at both ends.
Interested in why both teams scoring is such a strong angle? Check out our Masterclass on BTTS and sharpen your match-reading game.
PSG won on penalties in the Champions League final, UEFA Super Cup, French Super Cup and in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup last season, and a repeat pays a juicy 11/2 at bet365.
GambleAware