PSG vs Atl. Madrid prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-11-05 20:00.
[p]Remarkably, despite both being regular competitors in the UEFA Champions League (UCL), this will be the first competitive meeting between Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético Madrid. Luis Enrique’s men could really do with this being a successful maiden meeting given their slow start to the competition this year, with just one win from their opening three games (D1, L1) leaving them floating in mid-table ahead of the round. [/p]
[p]That one win did come in their UCL season opener against La Liga opposition in the form of Girona, making it four wins from their past five against Spanish sides. They needed a late own goal to secure a 1-0 victory on matchday one, the same scoreline they beat ten-man Lens by in domestic action at the weekend. Finding their feet in front of goal will be top of the hosts’ wishlist then, especially as they’ve scored just twice across their last five UCL matches. [/p]
[p]Atlético have also had an uncomfortable start to this season’s competition, following up their opening round win over Leipzig with heavy defeats against Benfica and Lille. Those defeats saw them concede a total of seven goals, but two clean sheets in the past week in league and cup action suggests that Diego Simeone’s men may be on the right path to shoring up their defence.[/p]
[p]Of course, PSG on their own patch represents a substantial step up in opposition for the visitors who don’t have a great record travelling across the continent. In fact, Atleti have managed just one win from their previous ten UCL away matches, with seven of those games ending in defeat! [/p]
[p]Players to watch: After a barren spell of no direct goal contributions across four appearances for club or country, PSG’s Ousmane DembĂ©lĂ© looks to be finding his groove again with a goal and assist across his past two matches – both before half-time. It was a poignant moment for Giuliano Simeone – son of manager Diego – this past weekend as he scored his first senior goal for AtlĂ©tico so could be in line for a start here. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: PSG are aiming to avoid losing a fifth European contest in a single calendar year for the first-ever time. [/p]
[p][i]Written by David H[/i][/p]