The Champions League table’s current top 2 clubs are about to clash in what could be a feisty affair for the viewers. Both PSG and Bayern Munich are yet to lose or draw a match in their Champions League campaign. The Parisians have entered the 25/26 season with a huge wave of confidence in them and their mission is to become only the second team in the history of the modern Champions League (post 1992 era) title, after Zidane’s Real Madrid in 2017 and 2018.
Bayern Munich have been flying high this season with Harry Kane becoming one of the most lethal goalscorers on the planet this season. The England captain has already scored 22 goals and provided 3 assists for the German giants this season, making him a constant trouble for any defensive lineup.
Their most recent meeting came during the summer in the FIFA Club World Cup Quarter-Final where Les Parisiens destroyed all title hopes for the Bavarians, winning the match 2-0 with the former receiving 2 cards in that game. PSG were eventually left stunned as they were left heartbroken in a crushing 3-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Final.
Ironically, the last time Bayern Munich lost a match was through the hands of PSG in the Club World Cup.
Team News
PSG will hope to have their main man Ousmane Dembele fit enough to start the game. The Ballon D’or winner sustained a hamstring injury in September’s international break and was sidelined for about a month. His return saw him score a goal as he came off the bench against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, where Luis Enrique’s side won 7-2.
Dembele’s minutes have been carefully managed by the former Barcelona manager in order to keep him fit and fresh for when needed. The boost PSG received about the Frenchman’s fitness would not last long as reports suggest that he told his teammate that “I am hurting in my hamstring”, during the post-match celebrations after the victory over Nice, thanks to a stoppage-time winner by Goncalo Ramos.
Desire Doue was also sidelined during the same national team camp as his aforementioned clubmate in September. His return saw him score a brace against Leverkusen in the 7-2 victory but the celebrations were short-sighted as he sustained a thigh injury during the match vs Lorient, and is expected to be out till December, which means he will not feature against Bayern Munich.
Apart from a few doubts, there are no long term concerns for the defending European champions, however, Ilya Zabarnyi remains suspended in the Champions League after a second yellow card against Bayer Leverkusen.
Predicted Lineups: Chevalier (GK), Hakimi, Marquinhos (C), Pacho, Mendes, Vitinha, Neves, Ruiz, Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Barcola
On the other hand, Bayern Munich are fresh off of a dominating display in a 3-0 victory over Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. The only injury concerns for Vincent Kompany’s side are Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala who have spent a long time on the sidelines due to an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury and a broken leg, respectively.
The Canadian international has not played a football match since March, earlier this year, whereas, young talent Jamal Musiala suffered a huge blow as he broke his leg against PSG itself, after a rash challenge by then Parisian goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, during the Quarter-Final of the FIFA Club World Cup, earlier in the summer.
26 year-old Hiroki Ito is also out until December due to injury with the last match that the Japanese international played being in March, earlier this year.
Predicted Lineups: Neuer (GK) (C), Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Guerreiro, Kimmich, Goretzka, Olise, Diaz, Karl, Kane
Current Form
PSG: WDWWDDWW (All Competitions)
Bayern Munich: WWWWWWWW (All Competitions)
Players to Watch
Harry Kane is the most in-form striker in the world right now and causes a huge nuisance to defensive lineups due to his genius transitions into different positions, both on and off the pitch. 22 goals and 3 assists across all competitions and the England skipper looks hungry for more. With slight chances of Marquinhos starting the game off the bench, the 32 year-old’s name on the scoresheet might be inevitable.
Achraf Hakimi has transitioned into one of the best fullbacks in world football. His ability to carry the ball forward from one end to the other is second to none, and despite playing at the back his in front of goal have proved to be dangerous as he opened the scoring for PSG in the Champions League Final against Inter, where the latter were thrashed in an embarrassing 5-0 scoreline.
Match Prediction
Betting Odds: 2.38 (PSG), 4.00 (Draw), 2.70 (Bayern Munich)
Despite the disadvantage of being away from home, Bayern Munich have proved they are almost untouchable with their current form. PSG would have to reignite the focus from last season if they hope to stop the in-form Bavarians.
We say, PSG 1-3 Bayern Munich.
