Real Madrid vs PSG preview, predictions & confirmed team news
Real Madrid will be out for revenge when they host Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Los Blancos were humbled 3-0 by the French champions at the Parc des Princes back in September despite Thomas Tuchel being without his entire first-choice front three of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani.
PSG now have a full-strength forward line to pick from with the likes of Mauro Icardi and Angel Di Maria in impressive form, but Real Madrid have lost just one of their last 12 games since that battering in Paris.
Either way, it’s sure to be a cracker. Read on for our preview, predictions, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Real Madrid vs PSG and where can I watch live?
Competition: Uefa Champions League
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Date: Tuesday, 26 November 2019
Kick-off: 8:00 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): BT Sport ESPN
Last five meetings: Real Madrid vs PSG
18 Sept 2019: PSG 3-0 Real Madrid (Champions League)
06 Mar 2018: PSG 1-2 Real Madrid (Champions League)
14 Feb 2018: Real Madrid 3-1 PSG (Champions League)
03 Nov 2015: Real Madrid 1-0 PSG (Champions League)
21 Oct 2015: PSG 0-0 Real Madrid (Champions League)
Aggregate Score: Real Madrid (LWWWD) 6-5 PSG (WLLLD)
Ones to watch
Real Madrid: Karim Benzema
Filling the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema scored 30 goals across all competitions last season and that resurgence hasn’t halted in 2019/20, with the Frenchman netting 16 times in 21 appearances already.
Furthermore, Benzema has provided a further six assists across La Liga and Champions League play and has become Zinedine Zidane’s go-to man in the attacking third.
Key stat: Benzema has been directly involved in 10 goals across his last five Real Madrid games, scoring six and assisting four.
PSG: Neymar
Neymar’s progress has been disrupted terribly by injury in recent months but returned to the fold during PSG’s 2-0 win over Lille at the weekend.
The Brazilian will be relishing the chance to go up against his former El Clasico rivals, should he come off the bench, while PSG will be praying he stays fit as they seek to finally end their Champions League hoodoo.
Key stat: Neymar has been directly involved in eight goals across nine career appearances against Real Madrid, scoring three and assisting five.
Team news
Real Madrid
Lucas Vazquez, Marco Asensio and James Rodriguez all remain sidelined for Zidane’s side, while Nacho has not recovered from injury.
Gareth Bale’s introduction was given a hostile reception from the Real Madrid supporters at the weekend after his controversial banner celebration with Wales. And he remains on the bench for the visit of PSG.
Eden Hazard needs a big performance, having underwhelmed during the early stages of his career in the Spanish capital, starting alongside Karim Benzema and Isco in attack.
Confirmed XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Valverde; Isco, Benzema, Hazard.
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PSG
As mentioned, Neymar and Mbappe are now fit but Tuchel has opted against fielding the Brazilian, with Di Maria and Icardi joining Mbappe up front.
Marco Verratti has recovered from injury to start in midfield alongside Marquinhos and Idrissa Gana Gueye.
Confirmed XI: Navas; Meunier, Silva, Kimpembe, Bernat; Gueye, Marquinhos, Verratti; Di Maria, Icardi, Mbappe.
Squawka prediction
Real Madrid are unbeaten at home in all competitions this season and have been much improved since their defeat in Paris.
Los Blancos must beat PSG to maintain any chance of topping the group and will rely on their home form to do so, so we’re going for a narrow victory for the hosts.
Scoreline prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 PSG
