Champions League: PSG vs Barcelona match preview

A look ahead to this week’s Champions League quarter-final

(Getty Images)

Old foes meet again as the Parc des Princes plays host to current La Liga leaders Barcelona on Wednesday night.

With the two sides battling it out in Group F earlier in the campaign, Paris Saint-Germain welcome Luis Enrique’s side without star man Zlatan Ibrahimovic leading the line.

Enduring a mixed time at the Catalan club, the Swedish talisman will be denied the opportunity to inflict damage upon his former employers after seeing red for a late challenge on Chelsea’s Brazilian Oscar in the last round. It will be left to Uruguayan Edinson Cavani to lead the line in the Swede’s absence.

Barcelona arrive in the French capital on the back of a frustrating 2-2 draw with Sevilla, after squandering a two goal lead to share the spoils. Fans will be buoyed by the return of Argentine maestro Lionel Messi to his imperial best.

The recent understanding between Messi and team-mates Luis Suarez and Neymar has been flourishing and Enrique will require his star-studded attack to fire on all cylinders if a crucial away victory is to be established.

PSG currently top a tight Ligue 1, one point above rivals Lyon. With a thrilling 3-2 victory over Marseille over a week ago, Laurent Blanc’s men will be hoping to take the same dogged determination into Wednesday’s clash and take a step closer to their first Champions League semi-final appearance.

KICK-OFF: Wednesday, 7.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Barcelona 3 (Messi, Neymar, Suarez) PSG 1 (Ibrahimovic) Champions League group stage, December 2014

PSG 3 (David Luiz, Verratti, Matuidi) Barcelona 2 (Messi, Neymar) Champions League group stage, September 2014

Barcelona 1 (Pedro) PSG 1 (Pastore) Champions League quarter final, April 2013

STATS…

Of the last five meetings each side has won once, lost once and drawn the remaining three.

Lionel Messi needs one more Champions League goal to overtake rival Cristiano Ronaldo this season, both tied on 8.

This season PSG have registered one goal every 48 minutes, on average.

ODDS…

PSG to win 4.5

Barcelona to win 1.85

Draw 3.75

TV: Sky Sports 5