Do PSG have any hope of turning the tie around? Mark O’Haire (@MarkOHaire) explores the best bets for Barcelona’s quarter-final second leg against the French champions on Tuesday night.
Barcelona v PSG | Tuesday 19.45 | ITV1
Barcelona are a best price 1/100 to reach the Champions League semi-finals having come away from Paris with a 3-1 win last Wednesday and although some firms are offering just 20/1 on the French giants progressing, even the 50/1 available makes zero appeal. The Catalans qualifying for the final four is a formality; there’s no way back for PSG.
Yes, Luis Enrique’s men made it seven successive Champions League wins in a row with a comprehensive performance against the Parisians missing a whole host of key performers. Laurent Blanc’s French champions clearly hadn’t done their homework and failed to stop Barca at source and it’s proven decisive.
Anyone who’s seen Barcelona struggle this season will know how to ruffle their feathers. But PSG failed to close down the ball high up the pitch and allowed their visitors far too much freedom on the ball.
You would hope Blanc and his coaching team caught the Catalans’ weekend win over Valencia though, with the 2-0 win flattering Luis Enrique’s La Liga leaders. Valencia gave the Blaugrana a stern examination, playing with real intensity that unsettled their hosts at the Camp Nou. Los Che deserved to be at least level at half-time with Rodrigo missing a great chance before Dani Parejo missed a penalty and Paco Alcacer hit the post.
Should PSG follow the blueprint they should at least grab a goal. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marco Verratti return from suspension and should the capital club have any hope of causing a mighty upset, the French giants must attack.
That approach should leave enough space for Barcelona to exploit and in turn give us a good run for our money when having a dabble on Both Teams To Score at 7/10 with Betway. It’s proven a winner in all five head-to-head meetings since April 2013 and I’d be surprised if this quarter-final clash let us down.
It may appear a short price but I’ve reason to believe BTTS should be closer to the 1/2 mark. As already mentioned, the Catalans rode their luck against Valencia on Saturday and have failed to keep a clean sheet in 12 of their last 18 outings. PSG have scored in 22/23 matches in all competitions and have the firepower to get on the scoresheet on Tuesday night.
For those that do fancy a speculative play on PSG to qualify, I wouldn’t bother. No side has ever overturned a two-goal deficit in an away second-leg in Champions League history and Barca arrive having W24-D6-L1 in their last 31 home Champions League fixture. The tie looks all but over but we should be able to profit by playing it safe in the Both Teams To Score market.
Best Bets
Barcelona v PSG – Both Teams To Score (7/10 Betway)
25/1 Bayern, Barca, Real, Juve Acca
This should pay out at 6/1 but new Paddy Power players can get it at a huge 25/1. Just join to get the 25/1.
