The UEFA Champions League returns this week for the Knockout Stage, and we have a blockbuster fixture kicking off the action. The competition’s most successful club Real Madrid takes on PSG, the side more desperate than anyone else to lift the trophy.
The game is scheduled to kick off Tuesday at 3 PM EST at the Parc des Princes and will be shown live on CBS.
You can always hit me up on Twitter @AlexJBlowers for advice, your picks, and thoughts on what’s happening in the world of soccer.
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UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GUIDES
How To Stream Champions League In The US
UEFA Champions League Competition Details
PSG VS REAL MADRID UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BETTING LINES
*Odds Taken from DraftKings Sunday, February 13th, 4:40 PM EST
PSG
| Competition | Opponent | Home/Away | Goals For | Goals Against | Total Goals | xG For | xG Against | Total xG | xG Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ligue 1 | Stade Brestois | Home | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 3.2 | +1.6 |
| Ligue 1 | Stade de Reims | Home | 4 | 0 | 4 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 3.2 | +2.2 |
| Coupe de France | OGC Nice | Away | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ligue 1 | Lille OSC | Away | 5 | 1 | 6 | 2.9 | 1.2 | 4.1 | +1.7 |
| Ligue 1 | Stade Rennais | Home | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 1.7 | +0.3 |
| Total / Average | 12 / 2.4 | 1 / 0.2 | 13 / 2.6 | 9.0 / 2.25 | 3.2 / 0.8 | 12.2 / 3.05 | +5.8 / +1.45 |
Stats taken from FBREF
Out: Sergio Ramos (Calf)
Doubtful: Neymar (Ankle), Ander Herrera (Thigh)
Suspended: None
Coach: Mauricio Pochettino
Neymar returned to first-team training last week. The Brazilian international has been out of action since November with an ankle injury and is expected to make the bench.
The question is, who does Mauricio Pochettino select in midfield to counter Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos, Casemiro, and Luka Modrić? I would go with Marco Verratti and Leandro Paredes, who are PSG’s best playmakers and are good at recycling possession. Idrissa Gueye’s energy and defensive qualities will complement them two well.
Don’t be surprised if Juan Bernat starts at left-back ahead of Nuno Mendes. Ángel Di María came off the bench in Friday’s 1-0 win over Stade Rennais to end any doubts over his recent calf injury. He will form a front three with his international teammate Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.
I’m going with Keylor Navas in this week’s edition of ‘guess the goalkeeper.’ This season, Poch has favored the Costa Rica international in the big games, leaving Gianluigi Donnarumma watching from the bench.
Sergio Ramos is out with a calf injury and won’t get the chance to face his former club. Ander Herrera is struggling with a thigh injury and could also miss out.
REAL MADRID
| Competition | Opponent | Home/Away | Goals For | Goals Against | Total Goals | xG For | xG Against | Total xG | xG Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copa Del Rey | Elche | Away | 2 | 1 | 3 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| LaLiga | Elche | Home | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3.4 | 0.8 | 4.2 | +2.6 |
| Copa Del Rey | Athletic Club | Away | 0 | 1 | 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| LaLiga | Granada | Home | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 2.7 | +1.3 |
| LaLiga | Villarreal | Away | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 2.5 | +1.5 |
| Total / Average | 5 / 1 | 4 / 0.8 | 9 / 1.8 | 7.4 / 2.46 | 2.0 / 0.66 | 9.4 / 3.13 | +5.4 / +1.8 |
Stats taken from FBREF
Out: None
Doubtful: Karim Benzema (Hamstring)
Suspended: None
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti
Real Madrid are hoping Karim Benzema recovers from his hamstring injury in time. Los Blancos have faltered in his absence managing one goal in their last two matches.
We will see Gareth Bale, Luka Jović, or Rodrygo lead the line if he doesn’t make it. The exceptional Vinícius Júnior starts on the left wing with Marco Asensio on the opposite flank.
Ferland Mendy has been declared fit and will start at left-back ahead of club legend Marcelo. Mendy has benefitted from having David Alaba next to him, who made his name in that position for Bayern Munich.
PSG VS REAL MADRID UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BETTING TIPS
In their last five matches, PSG has kept four clean sheets, and Real Madrid have kept two. Both defenses are playing well, and there’s a saying in the Champions League ‘you can’t win the tie in the first leg, but you can certainly lose it.’ I think both sides will be cautious, resulting in a low-scoring game.
UEFA’s decision to eliminate the away goal rule changes how teams approach the competition. I think we will see away sides in the first leg defend deep and try to beat their opponent at home in the second leg.
Looking at the markets, we have two options; Both Teams To Score NO +145 or Under 2.5 Goals +125. I’m playing the Under because I think this match can easily finish 1-1.
BETTING TIP: Under 2.5 Goals +125
WHERE TO BET UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE IN THE US
In the U.S., you can legally bet on soccer in more than two dozen states. You can bet online in some states, but only in-person betting is allowed in most of them.
DraftKings Sportsbook is available in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
FanDuel Sportsbook is available in Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
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