Last updated & checked: 10/08/2021
Manchester United have arisen from the miseries they endured in 2018 and are finally starting to look like the team we all know and love. In fact, since the start of the New Year, they’ve only had a single serious blemish on their record, otherwise tearing through the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea.
Unfortunately for them, the team that beat them was none other than Paris Saint Germain. They did so in convincing fashion too, and currently hold a two-goal advantage over the English juggernauts. Whether this fact serves to motivate or psyche out the Red Devils may be the deciding factor in a game between two teams of such impressive calibre.
Paris Saint Germain vs Manchester United Prediction: PSG 1-0 Man United
The fact is that having to aim for a three-goal victory is going to change Manchester United’s gameplan considerably. They will have to take more risks in order to make that a possibility, and in doing so, will leave their game open to vulnerabilities – as will their extensive injury list. And there are few teams better in the world at exposing such weaknesses than Paris Saint Germain.
We think their expertise will allow them to keep United at bay while picking their spots. This will likely be enough for the French side to pick up another win in the second round. With that in mind, our scoreline prediction is 1-0 to the home team.
Our recommended tip: PSG win to nil
Holding onto the top spot of the Ligue 1 – while Manchester United settle for a respectable fourth place in the Premier League –, Paris Saint Germain come into this contest with a clear advantage. They have a significant 65% win probability to Man United’s 15%. This contrast can also be seen in the bookmakers’ odds, with Ladbrokes giving the away side 11/2 match odds, while PSG fans enjoy much lower-risk 1/2 odds on a win. However, to increase your potential ROI, we recommend that you predict PSG will win to nil – as they have done in three of their last five games – to get medium-risk 33/20 odds.
Previous matches
Considering just how relevant it is to any predictions for this match, we’ve already discussed the first leg 2-0 victory for Paris Saint Germain, and even the teams’ likely strategies going in as result of that. However, that is not their only meeting. The two sides have met before and, unfortunately for Manchester United, it is bad news yet again.
PSG managed to beat the Red Devils back in 2015 as part of the International Champions Cup, also by a result of 2-0. Knowing they’ve never beaten PSG is another psychological disadvantage for United, and another reason to back the home team.
Top 3 Champions League Bookies
Players to watch: Kylian Mbappé & Romelu Lukaku
Paris Saint Germain: Kylian Mbappé
He proved to be a difference maker in the first leg against Manchester United alongside Kimpembe, and has quite literally scored in every game since, with the exception of one. That includes doing the double mere days ago against Caen. Considering all this, there’s a very good chance that Kylian Mbappé will be the man to finish off their opponent’s Champions League aspirations.
Manchester United: Romelu Lukaku
With so many players out of action, Manchester United have been suffering an absolute injury crisis as of late. That’s not to mention the suspension of Paul Pogba. Therefore, they will have to rely on the dual attack of Rashford and Lukaku to have any hope of getting the job done. Both will be absolutely key and either could be chosen as the player to watch. However, Lukaku’s excellent performance against Southampton gets him the nod here.
