Manchester United v PSG – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Man Utd host PSG at Old Trafford on Wednesday night in the Champions League. The hosts are in a decent position with a three point lead over the visitors and knowing that a win not only qualifies them but also secures top spot in the group. PSG are in a sticky position having lost at home to Man Utd and away at RB Leipzig and really need at least a draw here or they’ll be relying on a Man Utd team with nothing to play for to win away in Germany on matchday 6.

Man Utd Form

After the disappointing defeats away Istanbul Basaksehir and at home to Arsenal, Man Utd’s season has taken a turn for the better. They have won four games in a row, scoring 11 goals. A 3-1 win at Everton, a 1-0 home victory over West Brom and a 4-1 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir followed.

In their last match, United trailed 2-0 away Southampton before Edinson Cavani came on to assist one and score two himself to turn things on their head.

Man Utd Team News

After his display on Sunday, Cavani will surely start this match against the team which did not want to keep him last June. Anthony Martial missed the Southampton win with illness and both David De Gea and Alex Telles went off with knocks. Both are expected to be fit.

Luke Shaw is still out but Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay have returned to training. Considering Martial’s illness and Cavani’s form, it could be a midfield diamond with the former PSG man partnering Marcus Rashford up front.

Man Utd Motivation

A win means the group is settled for United and so is top spot. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will want to get it sewn up on Wednesday as a draw means they will need to go and get a point in Leipzig in order to top the group (if RB Leipzig beat Istanbul Basaksehir).

For these sorts of game, Solskjaer usually sets up quite defensively with a fast transition style of play using the pace of Rashford. He is likely to do the same here and could even go to a back five for extra defensive numbers.

PSG Form

The form of Thomas Tuchel’s side has been inconsistent of late. They have lost three of their last nine matches, including Champions League defeats at home to Man Utd and away at RB Leipzig. Since the latter defeat, they beat Rennes 3-0 but then lost 3-2 at Monaco.

They went into last week’s return match against RB Leipzig in a must-win position and they did the business thanks to a 1-0 victory after Neymar’s 11th minute penalty. That was a big result considering that Presnel Kimpembe was missing at the back. In their last match, they drew 2-2 at home to Bordeaux with Neymar and Moise Kean on target.

PSG Team News

PSG had Kimpembe back for the weekend game and he should start here and Mauro Icardi returned as a substitute after nearly three months out with a knee problem. Marquinhos should be fit to play.

Left back, Juan Bernat and Thilo Kehrer at centre back are both out injured and so is Julian Draxler. Neymar is expected to be used as a false nine with Kylian Mbappe playing on the left wing.

PSG Motivation

Tuchel’s side really need to get a result from this match. A win that also takes them above Man Utd on head to head (currently 2-1 down on “aggregate”) is ideal. PSG will also hope that RB Leipzig drop points away Istanbul. Should PSG draw this match and win their final one at home then they would still need RB Leipzig and Man Utd to draw in the final game so they have to try to win here and have more control of their own fortunes.

Key Stats

Manchester United have seen Both Teams to Score yes in 4 of their last 5 matches

Man Utd have won their last 4 matches

PSG have lost their last 2 away matches

Man Utd have won 3 of their last 4 home matches

PSG have won 5 of their last 8 matches

PSG have seen over 2.5 goals in 9 of their last 11 matches

PSG’s Kylian Mbappe has scored 9 goals in 9 matches this season

Prediction

This is a tough match to call but Man Utd look favourites as they know how to set up defensively in the big games and play on the break. With PSG needing a result, they should leave space on transitions.