The Matchday 7 encounter of the 2024/25 Champions League group stage between PSG (France) and Manchester City (England) will take place on January 22 at the Parc des Princes in Paris. PSG vs. Manchester City: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
Matches – 11 (International matches, 2023/24–2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 42;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.8;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 36%.
Predicted lineups for PSG vs. Manchester City
PSG (4-1-2-3): Gianluigi Donnarumma – Nuno Mendes, Lucas Hernandez, Lucas Beraldo, Achraf Hakimi – Fabian Ruiz – Senny Mayulu, Lee Kang-In – Bradley Barcola, Gonçalo Ramos, Ousmane Dembélé.
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Stefan Ortega – Ruben Dias, Rico Lewis, Josko Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji – Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva – Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Savio – Erling Haaland.
PSG
In the previous round, the Parisians secured only their second victory in the current Champions League. After a four-match winless streak, where the French side suffered three defeats and one draw, they triumphed away against Salzburg (3-0). Interestingly, PSG had previously conceded in 21 consecutive away matches in this European competition. Notably, this was their first comprehensive away victory in the group stage of the Champions League since October 2019. However, the team is still outside the playoff zone, trailing the nearest competitor in 24th place by just one point.
According to Champions League regulations, forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will not be able to participate in PSG's remaining group stage matches. Forward Ibrahima Mbaye will miss the game due to injury.
- PSG has not won in 6 of their last 8 matches in this European competition (1 draw and 5 losses).
- One of the teams failed to score in 6 of PSG's last 8 Champions League matches.
- The number "1" featured in the final score in 7 of the club's last 9 matches in this tournament.
Manchester City
The English side has failed to win in three consecutive group stage matches of the Champions League. During this period, they drew at home against Feyenoord (3-3) and suffered away defeats to Sporting (1-4) and Juventus (0-2). This series has led to a drop in the standings to 22nd place. Pep Guardiola's men are only one point ahead of the Parisians. Notably, by losing to Juventus without scoring in the last round, the club ended their 10-match scoring streak in away Champions League games.
Midfielder Rodri Hernandez, defender Nathan Ake, forwards Jeremy Doku and Oscar Bobb will miss the match due to injuries. Defender Kyle Walker is in the process of transferring to another club.
- The Mancunians have won only two of their last eight matches in this tournament in regular time (4 draws and 2 losses).
- Both teams scored within 90 minutes in 8 of Manchester City's last 12 Champions League games.
- The English side has not trailed at halftime in their last six matches in this European competition (3 wins and 3 draws).
PSG vs. Manchester City: Match Prediction
These top clubs find themselves in similar situations in the Champions League. Both teams will significantly diminish their chances of advancing to the tournament's playoffs if they drop points in the upcoming match, so they will approach the game with maximum focus. I expect this to affect the game's scoring. I anticipate that the defenses will outperform the attacks, especially as both teams have struggled with finishing.
In PSG's last eight matches in this tournament, more than three goals have not been scored. Furthermore, the Parisians themselves have not impressed, scoring more than one goal only once during this span. The English side has scored just one goal in their last two away Champions League matches. Additionally, in the last five head-to-head encounters in this European competition, the teams have not scored more than three goals combined.
My prediction: Total under 3
