Paris Saint-Germain vs RB Leipzig
Paris Saint-Germain have some work to do to get out of this year’s Champions League group stage. Last season’s losing finalists have won just one of their first three matches and are currently third in Group H.
PSG will be eager to avoid another setback when they take on RB Leipzig for the third time in the space of just a few months.
The Parisians lost their first group meeting to the Red Bulls in Germany, but they were without both Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in that match. Their two superstar forwards look set to return to the line-up this time around, though, which will be a significant boost to their Champions League 2020 betting odds at home.
Talking Points
PSG get superstar duo back
PSG’s unusually rocky form this season continued as they suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to Monaco over the weekend. The Parisians had gone 2-0 up in the first half, but Kevin Volland and substitute Cesc Fabregas inspired Monaco to a spirited second-half comeback.
That’s already the French champions’ third loss in just 11 Ligue 1 matches this season, the same number they suffered in 27 matches during the shortened 2019-20 season. Their Champions League 2020 results have also been quite poor as they’ve lost two out of their first three matches in the group stage.
But the good news for PSG was that Kylian Mbappe was back in the line-up after missing their loss at Leipzig and scored both of PSG’s goals against Monaco.
Mbappe has been one of, if not the best player in the world this season when he’s been fit. He already has 17 goals and seven assists in 20 appearances for club and country.
Neymar also made his way back from a month-long injury layoff against Monaco and is likely to form a front three with Mbappe and the in-form Moise Kean, who has five goals in his last six games.
However, PSG manager Thomas Tuchel still has a significant injury list which includes Marco Verratti, Thilo Kehrer, Julian Draxler, and Mauro Icardi. Meanwhile, both Idrissa Gueye and Presnel Kimpembe are suspended after getting sent off against Leipzig, which figures to weaken their already shaky defence.
Leipzig looking a bit shaky on both ends
RB Leipzig could only draw 1-1 away to Eintracht Frankfurt on their return from the international break. It was another underwhelming away performance from Leipzig, who have won just once and scored only four goals in five matches outside the Red Bull Arena this season (two draws, two losses).
Alexander Sorloth, who was signed to help replace Timo Werner, had another disappointing outing. He was replaced at half-time by Yussuf Poulsen, who scored Leipzig’s equaliser.
Julian Nagelsmann during RB Leipzig’s match against Eintracht Frankfurt
Poulsen has started in two of Leipzig’s first three Champions League matches thus far and could be set to return to the starting XI against PSG. Although, Nagelsmann played with midfielders Emil Forsberg and Dani Olmo as his front two in their win over PSG, and he could turn to that line-up once again in Paris.
Like Tuchel, Nagelsmann also has a considerable list of absentees to deal with, particularly in defence and midfield. Marcel Halstenberg, Lukas Klosterman, Konrad Laimer, and Nordi Mukiele all missed the Frankfurt match due to injury. Meanwhile, star centre-back Dayot Upamecano, who was a doubt before the match, was substituted at half-time.
Upamecano’s absence would be a huge blow to Leipzig’s defence, which must now contend with the likes of Neymar and Mbappe this time around.
History
This will be the third meeting between Leipzig and PSG in the space of three months. They first met in the Champions League semi-final knockout tie, which PSG won handily, 3-0.
But Leipzig got some revenge by beating PSG 2-1 at home in their first group meeting. Angel Di Maria got the visitors off to a great start by giving them the lead after just six minutes.
Christopher Nkunku equalised for Leipzig before Emil Forsberg’s second-half penalty handed Leipzig the big win.
Betting Tip
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Paris Saint-Germain vs RB Leipzig | First Half 1X2 Paris Saint-Germain @ 2.32 |
| November 25, 04:00 (GMT+8) |
With their superstar duo of Mbappe and Neymar set to return, SBOTOP odds have PSG priced as significant 1.59 favourites at home. Meanwhile, RB Leipzig are 4.90 to do the double over the French champions and a draw is 4.20.
The signs point to a PSG win, but there’s more value to be had on the first half 1X2 market. The hosts will be eager to get off to a fast start after their disappointing performance against Monaco. And with Mbappe and Neymar back, they have more than enough firepower to get past a Leipzig defence that has a few holes in it due to injuries.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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The post Champions League: PSG Stars Back for Big Battle with Red Bulls appeared first on SBOTOP.
