Our prediction for this Champions League match:
All eyes will be on Estadio Santiago Bernabeu when Real Madrid and PSG face each other in the Champions League last 16, return leg. Los Blancos aim to build on a thrilling 4-1 win over Real Sociedad, but beating the star-studded Ligue 1 leaders is easier said than done. Both Mendy and Casemiro are banned for the hosts, while Tony Kroos misses the return leg with injury. As always, Karim Benzema will lead the line for the hosts, who are eager to overcome a one-goal deficit.
Leo Messi and Co, on the other hand, produced a fine display in the first leg, with Kylian Mbappe scoring a beautiful goal to seal the victory. Yet another close encounter is on the cards in Madrid, and we believe that punters from all around the globe can find value in betting on draw. The likes of Hakimi, Herrera, Kurzawa, Paredes, and Ramos are sidelined with injuries, while Mbappe, who picked up a knock during the last training, is rated doubtful.
Highlighted Player (Karim Benzema):
Striker Karim Benzema came through his youth club Bron Terraillon in Olympique Lyon were he went through all the youth teams.
On January 15, 2005 Benzema made his debut for the first team of Lyon that season but did not have much playing time. In the 2007-2008 season he was indeed a permanent fixture in the team and he got his break . He grew that season right into a crowd favorite and clubs like Arsenal, Juventus, Manchester United, Real Madrid and AC Milan showed interest in him.
Benzema in 2008 (like 2005, 2006, and 2007) was in the champions with Olympique Lyon and had no interest in leaving France. In 2008, Karim was named best French footballer.
Highlighted Team (PSG):
Formed by the merger of Paris FC and Stade Saint-Germain in 1970, Paris Saint-Germain or as they call it PSG is the most successful club in French football with 31 domestic titles to their name. Having won six Ligue 1 title so far, a record ten Coupes de France, a record six Coupes de la Ligue, six Trophees des Champions and one Ligue 2 title, PSG are also one of only two French clubs to ever win a European title.
Les Parisiens were crowned UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup champions back in 1995-96, while their last European trophy was the 2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup. Beginning of the new millennium was particularly hard for the celebrated club who flirted with relegation in 2000s before they were bought by the Quatar Sports Investments group in 2011 when the rebirth of the Paris Saint-Germain as we know it today began.
Following heavy squad investments and team boosting, PSG won their first Ligue 1 title in 19 years with Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic almost singlehandedly leading his side towards the trophy with 30 goals. Having established domestic dominance, PSG now set their sights on winning the Champions League which remains an elusive dream for the club from Paris.