Enrique Returns to Barcelona
In a five goal thriller, Barcelona went on the road to PSG last week and managed a 3-2 victory. On Tuesday, the clubs will contest the second leg of the Champions League Quarter-Final in Barcelona. PSG coach Luis Enrique will return to Barcelona, where he managed for three years and led the Catalan club to the 2014-15 UCL title. It’ll take a big effort from Kylian Mbappe & Co. to advance but this fixture has proven to us over the years that anything can happen. As we approach this can’t miss match, we’ll preview the Barcelona vs PSG UCL odds.
Barcelona vs PSG 
Location: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona, Spain
Day/Time:
Barcelona vs PSG Head-to-Head
Barcelona struck first last week, as Raphinha was on the end of a deflected cross, which he floated home with his right foot. PSG looked shot out of a cannon in the first few minutes of the second half, as they went up 2-1. Ousmane Dembele hit a rocket of a left footed shot against his former club. Then, Fabian Ruiz found Vitinha as the home side took the lead. However, Barcelona’s substitutes made a big difference. With one of his first touches, Pedri played a beautiful ball for Raphinha to volley in for his second goal of the night.
Then, Andreas Christensen headed in a corner with his first touch of the night to hand Barcelona a 3-2 win. PSG had their chances to equalize but they’ll head to Barcelona with a one goal deficit. The Barcelona vs PSG UCL odds listed winners Barça as +275 pregame underdogs.
This is the fourth time in the past decade the UCL draw has paired PSG and Barcelona in the knockout stage. Barcelona has advanced on two of the three previous occasions and holds a 5-4-4 record in the UCL vs. PSG.
Barcelona Keep on Winning
Xavi made eight changes to Barcelona’s lineup when they went on the road to Cadiz in La Liga on Saturday. Joao Felix, who started on the bench vs. PSG on Wednesday, made his case to be a starter on Tuesday. The Portuguese winger, on loan from Atletico Madrid, scored a brilliant bicycle kick goal. It was the game’s only goal in Barcelona’s 1-0 win. Xavi will be forced into at least one change on Tuesday from the get go.
Sergi Roberto, who started in midfield last week, is suspended due to yellow card accumulation. The same goes for Christensen, who scored Barcelona’s winner at the Parc des Princes. We could see Pedri or Oriol Romeu rejoin the starting lineup with Roberto and Christensen out. Barcelona have now won their last six matches, in all competitions, and three of those wins are vs. Napoli, Atletico Madrid, and PSG.
Although Xavi has said he is leaving at the end of the season, Barcelona may want him to continue as coach after recent results. Incredibly, Barcelona have conceded in just two of their last eight games and Pau Cubarsi has emerged as a key center back. The 17-year old has started Barcelona’s last eight matches. Ronald Araujo was also excellent last week, with some timely blocks. Notably, Barcelona have also averaged over two goals per game across the last five matches on their UEFA Champions League schedule.
PSG Unbeaten Streak Shattered
The French Football Federation did Paris Saint-Germain and other Ligue 1 clubs competing in Europe a solid. They postponed PSG’s match at Lorient because they apparently see French clubs advancing in Europe as a priority. So, PSG did not play a match over the weekend and they have some time to regroup before Tuesday’s match. PSG’s loss last week vs. Barcelona was their first since November and first at home since September.
In a result which broke PSG’s 27 game unbeaten streak, Mbappe was noticeably quiet. He managed neither a goal, nor assist and just three shots. Still, PSG’s superstar forward has managed 39 goals in 41 appearances this season. He ranks joint second in the Champions League stats, with six goals. Meanwhile, midfielder Vitinha has scored in each of his last three appearances and has been a key player under Enrique.
Had PSG been more clinical vs. Barcelona, the result absolutely could have been different. They’ll be encouraged by the chances they created but they sometimes look disorganized at the back. Left back Nuno Mendes was energetic last week and Marquinhos is PSG’s captain, but both backs have dealt with various injuries lately. Backup fullback Nordi Mukiele has a concussion and it’s unclear if he’ll be available on Tuesday but other PSG regulars should be good to go.
Barcelona vs PSG Analysis & Odds
The most recent Barcelona vs PSG UCL odds list Barça as overwhelming -350 favorites to go through. Barcelona take a 3-2 lead into the final, which means a draw (+290) or win (+125) would automatically see them through to the Semifinal. Even a PSG win (+200), if it’s by just a one goal margin, would mean Barcelona has an opportunity to advance in extra time.
PSG certainly can’t be counted out here, though. There are few true game changers in world football and Mbappe is one of them. He’ll be motivated after Barcelona contained him in the first leg and this could be his last UCL campaign in Paris. At the moment, both Barcelona pk, -0.5, and PSG pk, +0.5 show -110 odds.
Notably, Barcelona hasn’t lost a single match since Xavi announced he’s stepping down at the end of the season. He has had little, if any, success in European competition previously but this season has been an exception. Barcelona’s last ditch defending in the first leg was a sight to behold and they looked like they wanted it more than PSG. For Tuesday’s match, under 3, 3.5 goals are priced at -120 odds.
For UEFA Champions League news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
