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FC Barcelona travel to PSG in the Champions League Round of 16

By Benjamin Barkworth

VITORIA-GASTEIZ, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 11: Luis Suarez (L) of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring their opening goal with teammates Neymar JR. (2ndL) and Lionel Messi (R) during the La Liga match between Deportivo Alaves and FC Barcelona at Estadio de Mendizorroza on February 11, 2017 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
VITORIA-GASTEIZ, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 11: Luis Suarez (L) of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring their opening goal with teammates Neymar JR. (2ndL) and Lionel Messi (R) during the La Liga match between Deportivo Alaves and FC Barcelona at Estadio de Mendizorroza on February 11, 2017 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona will be looking to come away with at least one away goal against a tough opponent in PSG.

Staff Predictions

Ben: PSG 1-2 Barcelona

Chiranjib: aggregate score- Barcelona 5-1 PSG

Laieke: PSG 1-2 Barcelona

Nikhil: PSG 1-2 Barcelona

Brandon: PSG 1-2 Barcelona

Sean: PSG 1-3 Barcelona- Messi to score twice and Neymar to score the other.

Form

The Catalans are in excellent form going in to this match with a run of eleven matches unbeaten in all competitions. This run includes eight wins, and a total of thirty-two goals scored with only seven conceded. PSG are also on an eleven game unbeaten run, which is usual for them because they have dominated the French domestic competitions over the past few years. However, Monaco are currently above them in the table, and Nice are close by, which is giving them some much-needed competition. The Parisians are unbeaten at home this entire season, though, and haven’t lost in Parc des Princes since March 2016.

Squads

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Luis Enrique has a few injuries to contend with. Javier Mascherano, Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal are all unavailable for this match. They are all important players, but, thankfully, Barcelona has the squad depth to cope in their absence. Aside from that, there are no other issues to deal with, so Enrique can field a strong lineup against the Parisians. Rafinha is back as well, after recovering from a broken nose, which is a boost for Enrique due to the added option he provides in midfield.

Unai Emery has a few issues to deal with as well. He is without Thiago Silva and Grzegorz Krychowiak due to injury. The Parisians are also without Thiago Motta due to suspension. This weakens them significantly because Krychowiak and Motta rotate between being used as the single midfield pivot. Both specialize in cutting out opposition attacks, and the absence of both of them means that someone unsuited to the role is going to have play there such as Blaise Matuidi or Marco Verratti.

Next: Aleix Vidal's Future at Barcelona

History

The recent history between the two is full of exciting encounters. In addition, the two teams are familiar opponents with this being the fourth time they have played each other in the last five seasons. Barcelona have the advantage with three wins in the last six meetings compared to PSG’s one win, which encompasses the last five years. The Catalans have outscored the Parisians 13-8 in them six meetings, which averages 3.5 goals per match, and this one shouldn’t be any different. Therefore, Barcelona should come away with at least one away goal.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – JANUARY 14: Sergio Busquets of Barcelona reacts during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and UD Las Palmas at Camp Nou Stadium on January 14, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – JANUARY 14: Sergio Busquets of Barcelona reacts during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and UD Las Palmas at Camp Nou Stadium on January 14, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images) /

Playing Style

Emery has got a reputation as an excellent tactician from his Sevilla days. His hat-trick of consecutive Europa League trophies was built on securing a key advantage in the home leg, with the emphasis in the away leg being on nullifying the opposition and grabbing an away goal if possible. However, he has struggled in his first season with PSG in both the league and the Champions League. Draws against Arsenal home and away as well as a draw against Ludogorets at home aren’t exactly inspiring confidence. They have also drawn at home in the league against key opponents such as Monaco, Nice and Marseille. Nonetheless, they shouldn’t be taken lightly.

The key players that Barça have to watch out for are the opposition front three and Verratti. Each individual in the front three is a game-changer. Edinson Cavani is the main threat, though, due to his thirty-three goals in thirty-one games. Verratti is key for them because he acts as a deep-lying playmaker with his accuracy and range of passing being used to start attacks and pick apart defences.

The Parisians do have a significant attacking threat, but the spine of the team is weak. Thiago Silva, their most experienced and talented defender, is out. Both their defensive midfielders are out as well. Therefore, this will be a direct battle between the two attacking trios. Unai Emery can’t rely on his team sitting back against a full-strength Barcelona. It will also be a battle between Busquets and Verratti for control of the midfield, which should be an interesting duel. Barcelona could easily win this match, but coming away with an away goal and a draw would definitely be a good result.

Predicted Lineup

Ivan Rakitić instead of André Gomes is a possibility.