Man City vs PSG Preview and Betting Tip

We were out of luck with our 9/2 tip for the first leg of this UCL semi-final. I thought PSG would take a lead to the Etihad for the second leg but instead they need to overturn a 2-1 deficit. It was a game of two halves in Paris with PSG edging the first stanza before City dominated the second period. Can City finish the job in Manchester? Or will Neymar and co. conjure up a second leg win? Man City vs PSG kicks off at 20.00 on Tuesday night, check out our preview and betting tip below.

Jekyll and Hyde City

The Citizens put in a Jekyll and Hyde performance last week in the first leg of this tie. In the first half they looked tentative and they carried very little threat with no recognised centre-forward on the pitch. It was no surprise to see them falling behind to a Marquinhos goal after 15 minutes and they were arguably fortunate to go in at half time only one goal down.

In the second half, City did improve in terms of retaining possession but to be honest, they didn’t really create any clear cut chances. They were passing it well but it was from side to side and when they did create an overlap, there was no striker waiting in the box for the cross. A very lucky Kevin De Bruyne goal drew them level on 64 minutes and then a few minutes later the PSG wall parted like the Red Sea and allowed Riyad Mahrez to net as soft a free kick as you are likely to see.

Once City got their noses in front, PSG barely got a sniff. Idrissa Gueye saw red on 77 minutes and after that, Pep’s side went for the death by passing approach. They knocked the ball around nicely and PSG just couldn’t get near them. They didn’t really create many more chances though and they only ended up with an xG of 0.83. City will likely try to replicate that second half performance for the entirety of Tuesday’s game because if PSG don’t have the ball, they won’t be able to score.   

don’t dismiss dangerous psg

After 15 minutes of this Champions League semi-final it looked like there would only be one winner. PSG were closing down City high up  the pitch, they were winning back possession and they took the lead via Marquinhos. It was the type of energetic and high-octane approach that we have come to expect from Pochettino sides but unfortunately for them, they ran out of petrol in the second half.

Once The Citizens started showing more composure on the ball, it looked like PSG were chasing shadows. Even before Gueye’s sending off in the 77th minute they were struggling to lay a glove on City’s players. The Senegalese midfielder will now miss this tie through suspension and that could see former Man Utd midfielder Ander Herrera coming into the team.

If the Spaniard starts alongside Paredes, they will need to get stuck into City early on. If they allow the Mancunians to stroke the ball around as they please it could be a long night for PSG. Pochettino’s men know they need to score at least two goals to have a chance of qualifying for the final. They will need Neymar, Mbappé and Di Maria to be at their brilliant best if they are to have any hope of turning things around.  

Man City vs PSG Recent Form

In terms of form, both these teams have been playing well in their respective leagues. City took another huge step towards sealing the Premier League title with a hard fought win vs Crystal Palace on Saturday. PSG kept their Ligue 1 title hopes alive by beating Lens 2-1. However, they still remain a point behind surprise leaders Lille. City, on the other hand, are 13 points clear and they can throw everything at trying to land an elusive Champions League title.

Man City vs PSG Betting Tip

If City reproduce their second half Paris performance tonight there is only going to be one winner. However, in the first half PSG showed that they had the capabilities to cause them problems and it would be foolish to completely dismiss their chances. The PSG players know what it takes to make it through to a Champions League final whereas City are on a learning curve and Pep hasn’t reached a final since his Barcelona days.

Guardiola failed to get to the decider when he was at Bayern Munich and this is the first time he has guided City past the quarter-final stage. They are in prime position to get the job done but PSG won’t go down without a fight. With players like Mbappé, Neymar and Di Maria on the field PSG cannot be discounted and I don’t think this match is a done deal yet. As Man City showed in the FA Cup semi-final v Chelsea they are capable of fluffing their lines and I am hoping they do so again. At odds of 15/4 with Betway, PSG to win in 90 minutes is the recommended bet.

Man City vs PSG Tips: PSG to win @ 15/4 Betway

Key Quotes – Man City vs PSG

Pep Guardiola – “In these games you don’t need much emotions – be calm and know what you have to do… everyone knows how important it is. We’ve been looking for this moment for many years. We spoke a lot yesterday and today who we are, what we have to do. We don’t speak about PSG because we play against them a week ago, we just speak about us, us and us and what we have to do.”

Mauricio Pochettino – “We had to win today (v Metz), and Tuesday score two goals and not concede. The most important thing will be to win, more than playing good football. We’re going to give it a try and we’re focused on this City game and the tactics we should put in place.”

Dave Stevos