Barcelona v PSG Betting Tips: Hosts to up their game after first-leg

With Paris Saint-Germain already 4-0 up after their amazing victory in the first leg, this match is almost a formality. However, if any team can come back from this, it is Barcelona.

Many pundits had said that they had seen this shock result coming prior to Barca’s match in Paris and, a couple of weeks later, it was announced that manager Luis Enrique will step down at the end of the season. However, Barcelona have gone back to normal after that defeat with four consecutive wins and they’ve now returned to the top of La Liga.

The Catalan side, as you would expect, are top of the Spanish goal-scoring charts with an incredible 76 scored in 26 matches. Additionally, they have scored 11 goals in their last two games. Defensively they are also pretty good with just 21 goals conceded in the league, the second-best in La Liga. However, PSG showed that that back-line can be exploited.

The Nou Camp is one of the most iconic stadiums in the world and Barca have put it to good use in recent months, failing to win on just one occasion in all competitions since 3rd December 2016. Furthermore, they have won all of their Champions League matches on home soil since 1st April 2014 and last lost a European match at the Nou Camp in May 2013.

Although the above-mentioned pundits were half expecting a bad result for Barcelona at some point, nobody could predict a 4-0 loss against Paris Saint-Germain. The French side will have to make sure they are not complacent in the second-leg or they will get punished. PSG are undefeated in their last 10 Ligue 1 matches but they are still three points behind Monaco at the top of the table.

Unai Emery’s side showed against Barcelona that they can be very effective in both boxes. The Parisians have the best defensive record in the French league with just 19 goals conceded in 28 games whilst they have also kept four clean sheets in their last five in all competitions. PSG are also exceptional going forward and, although they are a massive 26 goals behind Ligue 1 top scorers Monaco, their total of 56 is still impressive.

Barcelona may be a difficult place to go but PSG will take confidence from the fact they have taken 30 points from 14 games on their travels and have won their last eight away matches. However, in the Champions League, they do struggle against the big teams away from the Parc des Princes, only claiming victory against Chelsea since they became a force in Europe.

PSG should still qualify from this round but, with Barcelona likely to be baying for blood, the hosts are fancied to come out on top in this match. ‘Barcelona to Win in 90 Mins & Neymar to Score Anytime’ at 7/4  – as the Brazilian is in hot form form at the moment, scoring in his last two matches – is the bet that stands out.

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