PSG host Arsenal in the second leg of the Uefa Champions League semi finals on Wednesday night and PSG are 1-0 to the good.
Odds quoted from Betway are correct at the time of writing but subject to change.
PSG
A fourth minute goal from Demeble gave PSG a 1-0 win in the first leg in London last week. Keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off a couple of fine saves but PSG also missed opportunities to add to the scoring.
PSG also met English opposition in the quarter finals and their match up with Aston Villa was a cracker. They won the first leg in Paris 3-1 with goals from Doué. Kvaratskhelia and Nuno Medes. They were 2-0 up and seemingly coasting less than half an hour into the return at Villa Park but a terrific fightback saw Villa eventually win 3-2 on the night and PSG had to withstand tremendous pressure.
PSG were involved in another titanic battle in the Round of 16. Their clash with Liverpool went all the way to penalty kicks with Liverpool winning 1-0 in Paris and PSG were 1-0 winners in the second leg at Anfield before holding their nerve in the shoot out. PSG looked in trouble at one stage in the league phase but they rallied to finish 14th with a record of 4 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats. They won each of their last 3 in the new format to set up a play off with Brest. That proved to be the most one sided of match ups with PSG winning 10-0 on aggregate.
PSG are 19 points clear at the top of Ligue 1, they have already clinched the title and had looked likely to go through the domestic league unbeaten but they have lost their last 2 league matches.
Arsenal
Arsenal paid the price for a slow start in the first leg, Merino had a goal disallowed for offside and they now have it all to do. The Gunners will be hoping the return of Thomas Partey, who missed the first leg through suspension, will help turn the tie around.
Arsenal came through the quarter finals with a 5-1 aggregate victory over Real Madrid. They took control with a 3-0 win in the first leg in London (Declan Rice 2 and Mikel Moreno) and although Saka missed a penalty early in the return he opened the scoring in the second half and after Real equalised a late Martinelli goal made it 2-1 on the night. Arsenal's 7-1 win away from home in the first leg of the Ro16 match up with PSV put the tie to bed and the return finished 2-2 on the night and the Gunners sailed through. Arsenal finished third in the league phase, winning 6, drawing 1 and losing 1 of their matches and they won all 4 home games without conceding. One of those home wins came against PSG (2-0) with Havertz and Saka on target
In the EPL Arsenal lost 2-1 at home to Bournemouth at the weekend. They remain in second place well behind Champions Liverpool but they now just 3 points clear of third placed Man City whilst Newcastle, Chelsea, Forest and Villa are also in the mix to finish in the top 5 and qualify for the UCL next season.
The Betting
PSG are 21/20 to win the second leg with the draw at 2.65/1 and Arsenal are 24/10
A game of 3 goals or more is 0.63/1 and its 0.57/1 for both teams to score.
Note, the above markets are regulation time
To qualify for the final PSG are 1 / 5 and they are 9/4 to go on and lift the trophy
Arsenal are 7/2 to reach the final and 7/1 to win the UCL outright
Note, outright odds will probably change after Tuesday's semi final second leg between Inter and Barcelona
The Verdict
This is obviously a huge task for Arsenal although I wouldn't completely rule them out of at least giving PSG a scare or two on the night. I'll take my chances on the game opening out and hopefully 2 goals or more in the second half.
Bets: 2nd half total goals over 1.5 at 17/20 with Betway
Note, prices quoted are subject to change
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