PSG vs. Real Madrid Predictions: Expect goals in Paris

The Champions League returns tonight as two of Europe’s premier sides go head to head for a place in the quarter finals.

The Champions League returns tonight and here at BettingOdds we will have full match previews and tips for all the huge Round of 16 clashes. We've asked our regular tipster Joshua Jones to look over the tie in Paris. 

La Liga leaders Real Madrid make the short trip to France to take on Ligue 1 leaders PSG at the Parc des Princes, as Lionel Messi faces his old nemesis once again.

The former-Barcelona man has 26 goals, 14 assists and 14 bookings in 45 career games against Los Blancos, having spent 16 years terrorising their defence.

It hasn’t been as easy for him in Ligue 1 so far with just two goals in 12 starts, though he has contributed eight assists in that time, and it’s the Champions League where he’s really shone. The Argentinian has five goals in five starts in Europe, including a fantastic finish to put Manchester City to the sword back in September.

It finally feels like he, and fellow Argentine Mauricio Pochettino, have settled into life in Paris.

Poch, having struggled to find a defined style for his PSG side for much of the season, looks to have eventually found the cohesion necessary to get his side firing on all cylinders.

Following a Jurgen Klopp-esque model of having three midfielders - including Georginio Wijnaldum - that play at 100 miles per hour to disrupt the opposition’s sequences of play has proved fruitful and allowed them to open a 13 point gap over Marseille at the summit of Ligue 1.

Madrid on the other hand, having started the season in blistering fashion, have stuttered of late in the absence of Karim Benzema.

Draws at Elche and Villarreal in the last month, and a defeat at Getafe in January, have seen their dominant lead at the top of La Liga cut to just four points - while they suffered Copa Del Rey defeat at Athletic Bilbao at the beginning of February too.

Marco Verratti has been no stranger to referees in his career, but this season has probably been worse than ever for him.

The Italian, tasked with forming part of Mauricio Pochettino‘s full throttle midfield, has been booked in TEN of his 16 starts in Ligue 1 and the Champions League.

Gufetto is averaging a booking once every 129 minutes for PSG this season, committing 1.9 fouls per 90, and will have his work cut out for him dealing with Madrid’s midfield maestros.

Taking charge of this one is fellow Italian Daniele Orsato who is averaging 5.8 yellows per game in all competitions this season.

He booked Verratti the last time he officiated a PSG game, a two-foul appearance against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

While Lionel Messi has struggled to adjust to his new side, it’s been Frenchman Kylian Mbappé that has shone in the presence of the great one - notching 12 goals (eight more than any of his teammates) and contributing nine assists in his 21 games.

The ex-Monaco man has made mincemeat of opposing defences this season, adding four goals and four assists in Europe, but he’s not the only member of Les Bleus who has looked unstoppable this year.

Under the lights of the Santiago Bernabeu none have shone brighter than Karim Benzema, whose 24 league goal involvements rank 4th across Europe’s top five leagues. His involvement in the squad could make a huge difference for Los Blancos here.

11/2 on the pair of them to find the net - having combined for nine in the Champions League this season - is certainly worth a dabble.