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The UEFA Champions League is BACK and what a clash we’ve got here at Old Trafford as rejuvenated Man Utd host the French top team PSG!
When the draw was initially made, many believed that PSG would trash United, however the circumstances since have changed. Managerial change by United has really brought the club back while PSG have been hit with key injuries mainly to Neymar and have not played too good entering this fixture and all of a sudden United seem like in a better position to win!
Since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over, Man Utd have a 11W 1D 0L record across all competitions. The team have been playing fantastic fluid attacking football with the likes of Pogba, Martial, Rashford playing some unbelievable football.
Pogba and Rashford are especially playing at unreal level with Pogba having 8 goals 5 assists and Rashford bagging 6 goals under Solskjaer. This duos play will likely define United’s success in this tie and are the main players to watch.
Man Utd have also improved defensively under Ole. Before they were allowing 2 goals quite often, failing to keep clean sheets but under Solskjaer, United have only conceded 7 goals and kept 5 clean sheets. They also only conceded 2 goals in one game. Defending is going to be a huge key against PSG’s what still is a pretty dangerous attack.
Man Utd have been pretty much unbeatable at Old Trafford too going 10 games undefeated at home with the last loss coming to Juventus. Since then they won 7, drew 3 and scored 22 goals.
Man Utd’s Champions League Group Stages weren’t impressive, but got the job done. United finished 2nd in the group with 10 points. They defeated Young Boys twice, failed to beat Valencia drawing and losing to them and split wins with Juventus
Against who they won away from home which was pretty much the biggest reason they went through.
PSG have had quite a down turn since the draw was made. They’ve still won most of their games since, but have seen some strange results like a cup elimination by Guingamp, lost the unbeaten run in the league losing to Lyon and being thoroughly outplayed, they were also taken to ET against a lower league French side in the other cup and only beat Bordeaux 1-0 at home unlike their usual 3 or 4 goal win and that’s mainly due to Neymar being out. They just haven’t looked as strong without their star man and now they also lost Cavani which further damages their chances in this tie.
PSG have overcome one of the toughest groups in Europe winning the group over Napoli, Liverpool and Zvezda. PSG smashed Zvezda twice, drew with Napoli twice and split wins with Liverpool. In their only other visit to England this season they lost 3-2 to Liverpool. They for sure wouldn’t mind that result if they could take 2 away goals back home and only trail by 1 goal.
PSG have scored more goals than any other side in the Group Stages with 17. They scored multiple goals in 5 of 6 games in the competition so far.
The player to watch from PSG is clearly Kylian Mbappe. With the other two of the attacking trio out, Kylian will have to deliver for the French champions. Mbappe has 22 goals in 27 apps for the team from Paris this season. He can absolutely cause a ton of problems for Man Utd with his pace and directness.
No French team have won a European away game at Old Trafford in 14 attempts (4D 10L). PSG probably have a better chance than anyone French side ever did to get a win at Old Trafford in Europe.
Man Utd are tipped as favourites to win the 1st leg match at 2.30, PSG 3.15 to win while draw is 3.55. However even with all the injuries, PSG are still considered as a tie favourite at 1.57 to United’s 2.40 to advance to the next round. Odds based on TonyBet.
Team News
Manchester United: Valencia and Darmian are the only absentees for the Red Devils. Rashford sat on the bench in their recent game against Fulham but is expected to return back into the starting line-up.
PSG: Cavani, Neymar and Meunier are all out for PSG. Meanwhile, Marco Verratti did return for PSG and should start which is a good boost for them in midfield.
Betting Stats (UCL Stats).
Man Utd have not covered any total goal overs at Home in UCL this season (0-3). Only a total of 2 goals have been scored at OT in Europe.
Man Utd have also failed to cover any total 1st half goal overs at Home in UCL this season (0-1-2).
Man Utd’s only Champions League home goal was scored by Marouane Fellaini who is not with the club anymore. None of United current players have a Champions League at Old Trafford this season
Man Utd average 1.33 bookings per game at Home in UCL this season (4 bookings in 3 games).
Man Utd have not covered a single Handicap at Home in UCL this season (0-3).
Nor have Man Utd covered any 1st half Handicaps at Home in UCL this season (0-3).
It is important to consider however, that Jose Mourinho was still in charge for all of these games in the UCL group stages this season.
PSG have covered 66.7% of their total goal overs away from home in UCL this season (2-1).
PSG have also covered 66.7% of their total 1st half goal overs away from home in UCL this season (2-1).
Kylian Mbappe is PSG’s top scorer away from home in UCL with 2 away European goals.
PSG average 2.33 bookings per game away from home in UCL this season (7 bookings in 3 games).
PSG have only covered 33.3% of their Handicaps away from home in UCL (1-2).
PSG have covered 66.7% of their 1st half Handicaps away from home in UCL (2-1).
KICK OFF – 12th February 2019 – 8pm UK Time
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