Paris Saint-Germain has had a history of failing in the early knockout rounds of the Champions League.
The next logical step for the Parisians would be to move on to the Final Four of the UCL, and they've got their best chance to do that this year by drawing Manchester City in the quarterfinals.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
PSG -150
Manchester City +456
Draw +285
Over/Under 2.5 (over -117)
ODDS ANALYSIS
PSG is going to be the slight favorite to make it out of this home-and-home series, and it has to get the victory here at the Parc des Princes to bring momentum back onto English soil. The Parisians are -150 favorites to do just that, and anything less would be considered a brutal disappointment in what might be their best and last shot to get into the Champions League semis in recent history.
Man City is nearly a 5 to 1 underdog in this matchup, and Manuel Pellegrini knows that getting a draw here in Paris would be a tremendous accomplishment.
The total in this match feels high for a French team and an English team who play close to the vest. The number to beat is 2.5 and -117 vig on the over.
HOW THEY GOT HERE
PSG of course, has already gone through England once to get to the last eight of the Champions League. Chelsea has had an interesting season for sure, but it didn't end up getting the job done against the Parisians. Paris Saint-Germain won the first leg of the two-legged tie 2-1 at home, and it matched that with a 2-1 victory in London as well.
Manchester City has been up and down all season long, and the fact of the matter it might need to win the UCL to ensure a spot in the competition next year with all of the different teams fighting for fourth best in the Premier League this term. The Citizens were emphatic on the road at Dynamo Kiev, walking away with a 3-1 triumph on the road. They weren't nearly as good at home in a scoreless draw, but they didn't need anything spectacular on that day either to advance.
RECENT FORM
Every now and again, City comes up with these matches that remind you of just how talented it is. The Citizens took care of Bournemouth 4-0 on the road on Saturday, ending a stretch of three straight matches without a goal. Man City has allowed just one goal in its last six matches combined.
PSG was awful against Monaco just before the international break, and falling behind 1-0 to Nice at home was a shocking development for the Ligue 1 champs. That said, the Parisians came to play after that, rolling off four goals without answer to keep their form for this most crucial clash.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Chelsea had no answers whatsoever for Zlatan Ibrahimovic in what will likely be his final season at PSG, and we wonder if Manchester City will have said answers either. Ibrahimovic has been all over the pitch, and any time he gets the ball in the last third or anywhere in or near the box, Citizens fans are sure to be holding their breath.
That said, Pellegrini has been smart with his players of late. He's doesn't have a full team at his disposal right now by any stretch of the imagination with Vincent Kompany, Raheem Sterling and Joe Hart all out with injuries, but he's getting good minutes from Kevin De Bruyne and Jesus Navas in the midfield, and that's setting up some good play at the back.
A scoreless draw won't be the sexiest result in the world, but it's one which Manchester City would and should be proud of.
PSG 0, Manchester City 0
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Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The fixture between PSG and Manchester City is scheduled for Wednesday, April 6, 2016, at 2:45 p.m. ET at the Parc des Princes. The match will be televised live on FOX Sports 1.
