Real Madrid’s exit from the Champions League sent shockwaves around Europe. Having witnessed Ajax’s sensationally dump out the holders at the Bernabeu, it is now Manchester United’s turn to try and defy the odds in their last-16 tie.
Manchester United travel to Paris on Wednesday hoping to overturn a 2-0 defeat from the first leg. Elsewhere, Porto host Roma in Portugal with the tie finely poised. Here at InterBet we offer an in-depth preview of both games offering tips and odds on both of the evening’s games.
Paris Saint Germain vs Manchester United
PSG were made heavy favourites to progress with the bookmakers when this draw was made. However, the rejuvenated Manchester United side we’ve seen lately under caretaker boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has been unrecognisable from the struggling side that scraped through the group stages under Jose Mourinho.
At the time of the first leg, a fortnight ago, Manchester United were attracting plenty of interest from bettors. After PSG’s attacking duo, Neymar and Edinson Cavani, were both ruled out of the trip to Old Trafford with injury, many felt United could overcome their French opponents.
However, injuries to Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard early in the match at Old Trafford dealt the home side a hammer blow and they were undone, losing 2-0. Their loss was compounded by the late sending off of Paul Pogba which rules the Frenchman out of the trip to Paris.
Caretaker boss, Solskjaer, refused to rule out United’s chances of overturning that first leg deficit but did concede that the first goal will be crucial.
The Norwegian explained, “Goals always change games. We’ve got to get the first goal and then anything can happen. Football is a technical and tactical game but it’s also a mental game. If we get the first one, we would start believing more and then they might start doubting themselves. It’s never mission impossible. It’s just more difficult.”
Solskjaer added, “Everyone knows we can do it. In the Champions League in the last few years there have been so many examples of teams that can change results like this.”
Despite those claims of “many examples of teams that can change results like this”, 34 times a side has lost at home in the first leg of a Champions League knockout game by two goals or more and not one has progressed.
Team News
Paris Saint Germain are boosted by the return of Edinson Cavani but the Uruguayan forward may have to settle for a place amongst the substitutes. The world’s most expensive footballer, Neymar remains absent through injury.
French flyer, Kylian Mbappe was PSG’s main attacking threat in the first leg. His searing pace caused the Manchester United defence problems from start to finish. Mbappe is set to lead the line for PSG again on Wednesday and can be backed to score first at 15/8. If you fancy the home side to come flying out of the blocks, back Mbappe at 9/1 to score in the first ten minutes.
Paul Pogba misses the match through suspension for the away side and will be joined in the stands by a whole host of crocked United players including, Alexis Sanchez, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Ander Herrera, Phil Jones, Nemanja Matic and Matteo Darmian.
Teenagers, Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong, Mason Greenwood, James Garner and Brandon Williams have all travelled with the first team squad. Fred, Scott McTominay and Andreas Pereira could form a vastly inexperienced midfield trio.
Manchester United’s chances of overturning the first leg deficit could rest on the shoulders of forward, Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian has been back amongst the goals since his recall to the first team. Lukaku has scored twice in each of United’s past two games. You can back the forward at 10/1 to score another brace in Paris.
Match Odds
Paris Saint Germain – 12/25
Draw – 71/20
Manchester United – 11/2
To Qualify
Paris Saint Germain – 1/100
Manchester United – 11/1
FC Porto vs AS Roma
The second game taking place on Wednesday is finely poised. Last year’s beaten semi-finalists, Roma, have a slight edge after claiming a 2-1 win when the sides met a fortnight ago.
However, the Italians suffered a disappointing 3-0 loss against bitter rivals, Lazio, at the weekend which has led to speculation over the future of manager, Eusebio Di Francesco. Reports in Italy suggest the the Roma boss could be axed if they lose their Champion League last-16 tie against Porto.
If you look at their recent Champions League form, it’s hard to make a strong case for either of these sides. Porto have not won a knockout game in the Champions League in their last six attempts, losing five. The Portuguese club have lost failed to score in any of those and have not reached the quarter final since 2015.
Roma were surprise semi-finalists last season but have not won a knockout game away from home in the Champions League since 2008. The Italians have lost each of their last seven on the road.
The visitors will be boosted by the return of defender, Kostas Manolas, for the trip to Portugal. The Greek international missed the derby defeat to Lazio but is set to return to the Roma defence. Javier Pastore and Cengiz Under remain absent.
Porto have a clean bill of health going into the game after confirmation that forward, Moussa Marega, has overcome the thigh strain that kept him out of the first leg.
Edin Dzeko has either scored or provided an assist in ten of Roma’s last eleven Champions League games. The Bosnian international is likely to play a prominent role again for the Italians. You can back Dzeko to score first with InterBet at 6/1 or 17/10 any time.
These two sides have twice before played out two-legged fixtures with Porto progressing on both occasions. Thanks to their away goal, Porto know a 1-0 win will be enough to see them through. A 1-0 Porto win is currently available at 8/1 with InterBet.
Match Odds
Porto – 81/100
Draw – 281/100
Roma – 16/5
To Qualify
Porto – 53/50
Roma – 5/7