Preview: Paris Saint-Germain vs Barcelona – Prediction, Team News, Line-ups

The Parc des Princes will be hosting a huge Champions League clash on Wednesday as Paris Saint-Germain take on Barcelona in the first-leg of their quarter-final tie. 

The Parisians cruised to a 4-1 aggregate win over Real Sociedad to make it this far in the European competition, while Xavi’s men ran out 4-2 winners over Italian champions Napoli. 

Match Preview 

Manager Luis Enrique will be bidding to end PSG’s painful Champions League hoodoo this season. 

They suffered a 3-0 aggregate loss to Bayern Munich to go out of the tournament last season at the round of 16 stage. 

But Enrique has led his side to the quarterfinals this campaign after they strolled past Real Sociedad in the last 16. 

Kylian Mbappe scored three of their four goals across the two legs as they comfortably emerged victorious by 4-1 aggregate scoreline. 

However, the French superstar was dropped to the bench by Enrique in their latest 1-1 league draw with Clermont in what became a major talking point of the game. 

The Ligue 1’s worst side were on course for a shocking away victory before Goncalo Ramos struck to make sure the spoils of the match were shared. 

On the other hand, Barcelona will enter the European fixture on the back of a 1-0 La Liga success over Las Palmas.  

Hopes of overtaking Real Madrid for the league crown are very slim now as they are trailing Los Blancos by an incredible eight points. 

Xavi’s men will look to Europe for success in 2023-24, having also failed to claim silverware by winning the Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana. 

The five-times Champions League winners have been enjoying an impressive run of form since Xavi announced his decision to leave at the end of the season. 

They are currently on an 11-game unbeaten streak across all competitions and are expected to give PSG tough competition on Wednesday. 

Team News 

PSG boss Luis Enrique will be without Presnel Kimpembe, Sergio Rico and Layvin Kurzawa for the European fixture. Achraf Hakimi will also be missing through suspension which is particularly problematic as Nordi Mukiele picked up a knock against Clermont. 

As for Barcelona, Gavi and Alejandro Balde are confirmed absentees while Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen have a chance of making it to the matchday squad. 

Paris Saint-Germain vs Barcelona potential line-ups 

Paris Saint-Germain: Donnarumma; Zaire-Emery, Marquinhos, Skriniar, Mendes; Lee, Ugarte, Vitinha; Dembele, Ramos, Mbappe

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Cancelo; De Jong, Gundogan, Lopez; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha

How to Watch? 

Paris Saint-Germain vs Barcelona will be available to watch for soccer fans via the Champions League live streams. 

Paris Saint-Germain vs Barcelona prediction 

Both teams look equally matched in terms of squad quality and form. But the fact that the game will be at the Parc des Princes gives PSG a slight edge and that’s why they should earn a first-leg advantage in the quarterfinal. 

Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Barcelona