PSG vs Dortmund prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2024-05-06 19:00.
[p]Over the course of their decade long dominance of French football, the one trophy that’s eluded Paris Saint-Germain is the UEFA Champions League. Given the weekend off from domestic action to prepare for this game, a place in the final for just the second time ever awaits them, but only if they can overturn a 1-0 deficit from their semi-final first leg against Borussia Dortmund as the pair gear up for their fourth H2H of the campaign.[/p]
[p]They can’t be separated across three previous meetings (W1, D1, L1), but PSG can take heart from comfortably winning at the Parc des Princes in the group stage (2-0). That was the first of an incredible 22-match run on home soil in which the Parisians have lost just once (W15, D6), though that did come in the previous round of this competition against Barcelona. Boss Luis Enrique remains confident however, as he looks to follow in Pep Guardiola’s footsteps and become just the second manager to win the treble with two different clubs.[/p]
[p]Borussia Dortmund didn’t have the luxury of a free weekend ahead of this huge match, although a 5-1 thrashing of Augsburg means they could be coming into form just at the right time. Overall though, it’s been a disappointing Bundesliga campaign for the Germans, but they showed in the first leg that they’re a force to be reckoned with on the European stage, despite their domestic struggles. The Black and Yellows’ first appearance at the semi-final stage of this competition since 2012/13 got off to the perfect start, and the omens are certainly with the visitors here as they look to replicate Jürgen Klopp’s famous side by reaching the final at Wembley.[/p]
[p]Just as in 2013, old enemies Bayern Munich could stand in their way, but Dortmund must first hold up their end of the bargain by ending a three-tie losing streak against French opposition. Winning the first leg at home certainly gives them an advantage as they’ve won 17 of the previous 19 ties in which they’ve done that, though the two most recent examples have ended in defeat, including in the 2019/20 competition against none other than PSG![/p]
[p]Key battle: Previously beloved by the Dortmund crowd, Achraf Hakimi came inches away from haunting his former employers as he hit the post in the first leg, so he’ll be looking to replicate scoring in the group fixture on this ground in September. Depending on selection, he could be faced with tying down Jadon Sancho, who completed a career-high 12 dribbles in the first leg in a Flashscore Player of the Match performance.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: PSG have never previously won a two-legged semi-final in the Champions League, losing five of their six matches at this stage (W1).[/p]