A gigantic battle is set to unfold at Manchester as City tries to gain the upper hand against PSG to ensure their name in the last 16 candidate list. The home side leads the Group A chart after 4 games with 9 points but only a point ahead of their Wednesday night's opponents.
MCI vs PSG Match Details :
When: Wednesday 24 November/ Thursday, 25 November
Time: 20:45 (BST)/ 01:15 (IST)
Where: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
MCI vs PSG Match Preview :
Manchester City conventionally dispatched Everton 3-0 in the weekend to make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League and are wishing to keep their momentum in Europe against strong opposition in PSG. City are once again dreaming for the crown that has eluded them for years now after coming narrowly close in the final last season. This time Pep Guardiola team began a tough group with a 6-3 victory over RB Leipzig at home but went down 2-0 at Paris before a 5-1 & 3-1 drubbing of Club Brugge put them in a promising position. This ruthless side is wishing for the same to counter the stiff challenge possessed by the Parisians but City's home record has been neat. The English champions are currently on an eight-game winning streak at the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League. They are confident of finishing tasks on the night. In case of anything other than a victory, City have to do it all in the final group stage game.
The same principle obliges the Ligue 1 giants. But more than the game the talking points were circulating that PSG's supposedly unhappy coach Mauricio Pochettino is on the verge of taking over the vacant managerial seat at Manchester United. The Argentinian has since denied all rumours saying he is thinking about Paris only and the game ahead. Time will tell if that is true but the former Tottenham boss will be in the dugout for this deciding encounter. Paris's football this season under him has not been attractive but has managed to get necessary results on the road. Domestically, they have stretched their reach on top to 11 points with a 3-1 win over Nantes at the weekend. In the Europe too they are unbeaten but has dropped point twice, once against Club Brugge on the opening day and Leipzig in the last group game both away. The win over City and Leipzig at home is squeezed in between. So, PSG had the chance to move clear of the rest much early in the group but have to come to blows in this battle.
Recent Form (all competitions) :
Man City: WWWLD
PSG: WWDWD
MCI vs PSG Team News :
For Manchester City, Jack Grealish missed the weekend battle against Everton and requires late sessions to be certain of being involved in this game. Kevin De Bruyne is still in his self-isolation period after contracting Covid-19 on his return from international duties so the playmaker will miss out completely. Ikay Gundogan will start in his place once again. Pep Guardiola also confirmed that there are a few players carrying niggles but it won't affect their performance on the pitch. Gabriel Jesus is forced to return to the starting eleven after youngster Cole Palmer started ahead of him at the weekend. Riyad Mahrez and Ruben Dias are likely to be in the starting eleven after taking a rest for the league fixture.
The big news for PSG is that Sergio Ramos will finally make it into the squad list for the first time since arriving at the French capital this summer. The Real Madrid legend sat on the sidelines for most of the last two campaigns but completed final training sessions for this clash and he is expected to marshal the center back position like always. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donarumma is still a major doubt due to gastroenteritis while Rafinha and Julian Draxler are also sidelined. The latter travels to Qatar to take intensive care of his hamstring injury. The trio of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi will start again just like the reverse fixture. The Argentinian superstar opened his PSG account in that game and is the top scorer for his club in the competition with three goals.
MCI vs PSG Expected Lineups :
Man City: Ederson; Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, Joao Cancelo, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Ikay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus, Phil Foden
PSG: Keylor Navas; Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe, Nuno Mendes, Marco Verratti, Idrissa Gueye, Gini Wijnaldum, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar
MCI vs PSG Head to Head :
These two produced some grasping performance in recent fixtures. PSG
won the reverse fixture 2-0 but has struggled to cope up with the home team pressure at Wednesday's night venue for the clash. City have won the last two meetings ever played in the competition at Etihad winning all with an aggregate score of 3-0.
MCI vs PSG Dream11 Team Prediction :
GK: Ederson (MCI)
DEF: Hakimi (PSG), Marquinhos (PSG), Dias (MCI), Cancelo (MCI)
MID: B. Silva (MCI), Verratti (PSG), Rodri (MCI), Neymar (PSG)
FW: Messi (PSG), Mbappe (PSG)
Match Prediction: Man City 2-2 PSG
It will be a proper clash of two titans and full of goals as both sides will find it hard to separate each other. City's defense hasn't been shaky like that of Paris but they boast one of the best trios up front so it is unlikely for the host to keep a clean sheet. Their unbeaten streak at home will remain intact but the entertaining draw will leave both to seal their faith in the last match provided that Brugge beat Leipzig.
