Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain predicted line-ups: Team news ahead of Champions League fixture tonight

Barcelona welcome Paris Saint-Germain to the Nou Camp tonight in the sides’ Champions League last-16 first leg, as PSG seek to right the wrongs of their collapse to the La Liga giants four years ago.

When the teams last played one another, at the same point in the competition in 2016/17, PSG tore apart Barca 4-0 in the first leg in Paris. But the Ligue 1 club fell to a remarkable 6-1 defeat in the second leg in Spain, with Barca netting three times in the last seven minutes to progress on away goals.

PSG, beaten finalists in last year’s edition of the tournament, return to the venue of that historic loss this evening, as the French outfit look to take a step towards this season’s quarter-finals.

READ MORE: All Champions League knockout fixtures by date and kick-off time

Mauricio Pochettino, himself a runner-up in the Champions League in 2019, takes charge of his first game with PSG in the competition, having lost just one of his first 10 matches as head coach at the club since arriving at the start of January.

Barcelona, meanwhile, are in fine form themselves, having won eight straight fixtures across all competitions. Here’s everything you need to know about tonight’s game.

When is it?

Independent Football Newsletter

Get the latest football headlines direct to your inbox twice a week

Read our full mailing list consent terms here

The match will kick off at 8pm GMT this evening at the Nou Camp.

How can I watch it?

The game will air live on BT Sport 3 HD. Subscribers can also stream it live on the BT Sport website and app.

What is the team news?

Barca are without long-term absentees Ansu Fati, Gerard Pique and Philippe Coutinho. Ronald Araujo misses out due to a sprained ankle, and Sergi Roberto is a doubt after sustaining a muscle injury this week. Sergino Dest returns, however.

Former Barca winger Neymar is absent for PSG with an adductor problem, which could also keep him out of the second leg, while another wide option in Angel Di Maria picked up a thigh issue recently. Marco Verratti could miss out due to a knock, and former Barca man Rafinha is suffering from a muscle injury that may prove too much to overcome. Pochettino is also without defenders Colin Dagba, Timothee Pembele and Juan Bernat.

Predicted line-ups

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Dest, Umtiti, Lenglet, Alba; Busquets, De Jong, Pedri; Dembele, Messi, Griezmann

PSG: Navas; Florenzi, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Kurzawa; Gueye, Paredes; Kean, Draxler, Mbappe; Icardi

Odds

Barcelona: 1/1

Draw: 14/5

PSG: 12/5

Prediction

It could be a cagey first leg, with the tie opening up in the reverse fixture in Paris. Barca 1-1 PSG.

Source: Read Full Article